Wales to launch e-discharge pilots

Electronic discharges using the Welsh Clinical Communications Gateway (WCCG) will be piloted in the Cardiff and Vale Health Board area during summer 2011. The GP practices for the pilot will be selected from the 45 currently using the WCCG e-referral service in Cardiff and Vale. According to the NHS Wales Informatics Service, the service will provide GPs with legible, accurate and timely discharge information. Before a patient is discharged from hospital, clinicians will be able to create an electronic discharge communication to send to their local GP. This will contain current and past medications and any other clinical information relating to their hospital treatment. When the patient leaves hospital, they will be given printed copies and their local doctor will receive an electronic copy if she or he has access to the Welsh Clinical Communications Gateway.