A web-based prescribing system which is designed to ensure that patients receive effective medicines in safe doses while helping to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions is now available to all GPs in Great Yarmouth and Waveney. 

HealthEast, the area’s clinical commissioning group, has rolled out the Eclipse system in all 27 local practices. The system was developed by a Norfolk GP, and is already in use in Somerset, Cornwall, the Isle of Wight and Essex.

Eclipse analyses patient data and identifies anyone who is at an increased risk of an emergency admission to hospital as a result of the drugs they are taking. It will then alert their GP, in turn prompting them to carry out a medication review and take steps to adjust the patient’s drugs.

The system can also monitor prescribing information and ensure GPs are using cost effective drugs for certain conditions, such as bladder problems and blood pressure, with any savings then reinvested into further developing local health services.

Michael Dennis, prescribing advisor with HealthEast, said: “We are very pleased that we have now rolled out this effective system to all of the GP practices in Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

“It has been extremely well received so far, with practices across the area using it to help alert them when patients may need their drugs reviewing.

“Figures show that one in one in twenty hospital admissions in the UK are linked to preventable adverse reactions to medications. These reactions can have serious consequences, so anything we can do to minimise that risk is great news for patients.

“In addition, it also helps keep beds in our acute hospitals free for those in the greatest clinical need while also saving money within the wider NHS.”

 

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