LEEDS-based software company EMIS has won a major national award for a system that allows patients to book doctors' appointments at the click of a mouse.
The company's EMIS Access system won an award for "most innovative e-health product" at the E-Health Innovation Awards which recognise new health technology products that have helped to improve patient care.
EMIS Access enables patients to book or c
ancel GP appointments, 24 hours a day, using the internet. The system links directly to an individual surgery's appointments system, so appointments are updated in real time. Patients can also send secure messages to their GP and update their contact details online.
The service, which was rolled out nationally in 2004, is now available to 4,500 GP practices, giving it a potential reach of 27m patients. Over 360 GP surgeries in Yorkshire now have access to the system.
To use the service, patients at participating surgeries simply ask for a pin number at reception and then log on to the EMIS Access website to register.
Sean Riddell, deputy managing director of EMIS said: "Since its launch, EMIS Access has been very popular with both patients and healthcare staff, so we're delighted that it has won this award.
"The system allows patients to avoid the frustration of trying to get through to their GP on the phone. It lets them book or cancel appointments when it is convenient .
"It also frees up staff time, and has the potential to save the NHS several million pounds each year in administration costs. The number of users is growing all the time, and we hope this award will help to further raise awareness of the product."
John Higgins, director general of Intellect, joint organisers of the awards, said: "Technology plays a vital enabling role."
