The National Cancer Screening Register’s (NCSR) new digital channels are significantly reducing the reliance of general practice on facsimile machines.
Since the introduction of the digital channels in 2020 and 2021:
- fax requests to the NCSR for screening histories have dropped by 94% due to the release of secure online alternatives to access and submit patient screening information in real-time
- GPs can now access and submit patient screening data via Provider Digital Access (PRODA)
- the new functionality provides the option to view cervical screening histories and order bowel screening tests electronically.
The NCSR’s Medical Operations Director and fellow GP, Dr Tim Ross says, ‘We’re making headway into progressing the digitisation of cancer screening through improving connectivity across the health ecosystem.
‘We are connected with all major labs electronically and now receive 99.7% of screening test results in real-time, improving completeness of screening histories in a more timely manner for GPs and practice staff.
‘Our goal is to integrate with as many clinical software systems as possible and we are engaging with more and more vendors to help this become a reality.’