DOCTORS will have access to millions more online medical records following a technology sharing agreement deal between the UK’s two leading West Yorkshire-based GP software suppliers.

Systems operated by Horsforth-based TPP and Yeadon-based EMIS between them hold medical records for most of the UK population. The two businesses have signed a deal to enable medical staff using either TPP’s SystmOne programme or the EMIS Web system to access patient records from the other and send data back into that system, to record the consultation or treatment given. The companies say the new arrangements - which will be piloted in selected areas before being rolled out nationally - will particularly benefit out- of-hours care.

In a joint statement Dr Shaun O’Hanlon, EMIS Group chief medical officer, and Dr John Parry, TPP clinical director, said: “This is a development which has improved patient care – not commercial benefit – at its heart.

“As leading suppliers of information technology to the NHS, we have a joint responsibility to support the best possible patient care.”

By enabling the direct flow of information between our two systems, we will make it quicker and easier for clinicians to deliver integrated patient care across the country and in many different clinical settings.

“We believe this will make a significant contribution to the efficiency of the NHS, to the quality and safety of patient care, and to the daily working lives of thousands of GPs and other clinicians.”