Myhealth-London

Background

On the 8 December the Greater London Authority and NHS London launched a new web-based service for London that will support general practice with transparency as part of the information revolution. The link to the website is in the external links section on this page.

If GP practices have any problems with logging into the new site Content Management System (CMS), please refer to your Myhealth-London information pack that was sent to you in December. To contact their helpdesk please email: myhealth@london.nhs.uk. We have published the user guide for the CMS below.

We have also publised the letter from the LMC to all GP practices in outer north east London - which outlines their support for the initiative.

For more information on Myhealth-London please email Jasline.jacob@onel.nhs.uk.

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New functionality to go live week commencing 9 January 2012

The Myhealth-London website team will be launching a second phase of development for their new web service for patients and the public and GP practices in the week commencing Monday 9 January 2012.

The additional functions will be:

• survey module for GP practices
• online discussion forums for patient participation groups.

You will be receiving full information on how to access these new functions direct from the Myhealth-London team.

 

New website launched for patients

Patients in the capital can access new information about their GP, including screening rates and patient satisfaction for the first time, as London launches the www.myhealth.london.nhs.uk website today. (8 Dec)

London is the first city to bring together a set of standards for GP practices that represent the minimum patients should expect from their GP. These standards are part of a programme being developed at grass roots level to support and improve GP services in the capital – with patients able to find out how their practice performs against standards like childhood immunisations and cervical screening as well as how they compare with other GP practices in London.

Each practice will have its own webpage which can be customised to showcase their work and keep the public informed of clinics and services, as well as enabling patients to provide feedback. Patient groups can also get involved by providing information about support groups and services which can be publicised on the webpages. Practices which already have websites can create a link to the page.

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: 'Few decisions are as critical as those affecting our health and that of our family and friends. To make informed decisions, it is of paramount importance that we are armed with sensible information. I welcome efforts by GPs in the capital to improve dialogue with their patients - freeing up data, as we have done in other areas already, will enable Londoners to properly consider the options available and what works best for them.'

This first set of London standards has been developed by NHS London with Londonwide Local Medical Committees working with doctors, nurses, GP staff, NHS managers and the public. This represents a major step forward for general practice in London in making transparency a practical reality.  

This first publication is important because it is data validated by the GP community in London which will be refreshed in the New Year to reflect the latest reporting periods.

Myhealthlondon is a partnership between NHS London and the Greater London Authority aimed at providing GPs, Londoners and patient groups with a tool to enable greater participation in healthcare and a way to drive improvement.

Myhealthlondon aims to involve patients and GPs in driving continual improvements in care. The main website page will contain features and videos created by patient groups and GPs, which can be used as an education resource. The idea behind the website is to create an information hub that will constantly be developed like an online newspaper focusing on health issues for Londoners.

The project aims to engage with patients by starting at the point where they first come into contact with healthcare, their GP. Myhealthlondon will give patients the opportunity to engage constructively with their local practice, giving them a sense of ownership for services, developments and improvements. Patients will be able to feedback in a number of ways which includes taking part in discussion groups and surveys, as well as leaving practice-specific comments.

Waltham Forest GP Dr Phil Koczan said: “The data on the website is a useful tool for GPs to be able to see how they compare with their colleagues and continue to improve primary care in the capital by learning from other practices and by listening to feedback from their patients.

 “Healthcare needs vary widely across London and these individual accessible pages provide a way for practices to illustrate their particular successes and challenges, learn from each other and respond to local issues raised by patients. London is listening to Londoners and solving its issues in a proactive way.”

In some cases local patient groups can be given special editing permissions by GP practices to post information on their pages so they can help in keeping this data up to date and relevant for the needs of the community.

Sylvia Debreczeny, of the Churchill Medical Centre Patient Participation Group said:  “Myhealthlondon puts patients at the centre of primary care by giving them access to local data and the opportunity to get involved in patient groups and surveys, so they can ensure their particular needs and priorities are met by their local healthcare service.

“Giving patients a voice can drive more open, locally focussed and constructive dialogue between patients and professionals. Londoners will have a voice on health issues.”

Councillor Colin Barrow, Executive Member for Health and Adult Services at London Councils, said: "This is an exciting initiative which will give Londoners easy access to information on how well their local GP practices are performing. It should be welcomed by everyone who cares about the quality of health services in London."

Page last updated 9 January 2012.