News
News > Here Comes The QoF Helper
MICROTEST - CONSISTENTLY TOP FOR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION:
Microtest introduced QoF Dashboard into the reporting module of Microtest Evolution V12.0.7. Using the dashboard, users can compile on-screen lists of patient cohorts who fit particular sets of QoF metrics (for example, patients tested for dementia during the last 3 months).
However, using the basic QoF Dashboard product, users cannot then click on a list item to see full patient details. This is a facility that Evolution users have said they would find very useful. Customer-focussed as ever, Microtest has implemented the QoF Helper; once installed, users can click on a patient listed in a QoF cohort and cause Evolution to load that individual patient’s record to view, update or edit.
The QoF Helper is now obtainable as a free Evolution add-on, Microtest Evolution V12 customers can get it installed upon request to the HelpDesk.
Microtest Ltd - Published Wed, 22nd May 2013
News > Microtest At the Commissioning Show
Microtest will be at the Commissioning Show 2013. Please see "events" for more details.
Microtest Ltd - Published Tue, 21st May 2013
News > Microtest Adds SouthWest Roadshow Date
Due to customer demand, Microtest has today added an additional stop off to its SouthWest Roadshow schedule. The roadshow will now also stop off at Borington Park Golf Club (postcode PL7 4QG) on Wednesday the 17th July.
This date is in addition those already announced (see full story below).
Microtest Ltd - Published Tue, 21st May 2013
News > Evolution Update....
Microtest Evolution Version 12.00.0015 is currently progressing through testing. After compliance checking by GPSoC it will be ready for general release. This new version provides a number of fixes, new features and a number of performance enhancements. This release also honours a number of customer raised Requests for Change (RFCs).
An important development is that this will be the first version of Evolution to include GPLinks; previously, GPLinks was only available in Microtest's venerable PM2 product. Implementing GPLinks in Evolution is the latest step in a strategic plan to re-implement all unique PM2 functionality within Evolution, so that PM2 can be gracefully retired when the process is complete.
Microtest - Published Wed, 8th May 2013
News > Microtest Makes Malcolm Mister South-Central
In recognition of the value that Microtest and its customers attach to a very personal approach to customer services, Microtest has appointed Malcolm Board to the role of customer liaison manager for central-southern England.
Malcolm brings an enormous amount of relevant experience and knowledge to the role, having spent many years in the Royal Navy in medical and medical-management roles. He then spent 18 years as a practice manager with Gudge Heath Lane Surgery at Fareham in Hants, a practice that has been using Microtest products for close to 20 years.
Since leaving full-time Practice Management, Malcolm has been helping his son establish an online business and consulting work related to care administration. Now, in his new role with Microtest, Malcolm will be using his detailed knowledge of GP systems and practice to bring empathetic understanding to the problems faced by practices in today’s fast-changing clinical and regulatory environment.
Malcolm will be making regular visits to practices within a 70 mile radius of Southampton, which will include sites in Hampshire, Wiltshire, Sussex and parts of Berkshire and Surrey.
For day to day problems which crop up, practices should still call the Microtest Help Desk as normal. Malcolm will be responsible for identifying and mobilising Microtest resources to address questions and issues that fall outside of the normal support services offered by Microtest. Malcolm can advise on issues like product suitability, training requirements, or finding resources within Microtest. Malcolm will also be providing continual feedback into the various business groups within the company, advising on improvements to every aspect of the services and products Microtest develops and deploys.
If your practice falls within Malcolm's "patch" expect to get a call from him at some stage soon!
Microtest - Published Mon, 22nd April 2013
News > Stockport Roadshow 17th April 2013
The Microtest road show stopped off at Bredbury Hall near Stockport on the 17th of April.
In very well attended sessions, run throughout the day, attendees were shown demonstrations and presentations covering the latest developments and releases from Microtest.
Microtest Managing Director, Chris Netherton, shared the latest news and developments that will affect Microtest customer practices – and there were several question and answer sessions in which attendees had time to discuss issues and concerns.
Chris said “This was such a positive and useful event. The Microtest team learned a lot about the specific concerns faced by practices in this region. I’d like to thank all the attendees for making this day such a success, whether they were existing customers, potential customers, or were from partner organisations. I hope they each went away with a far clearer idea of how Microtest can help them solve their problems and help them move forward”.
The next roadshow events will be in the South West during May and June 2013
Microtest - Published Thu, 18th April 2013
News > QoF Dashboard
Microtest creates QOF dashboard
Enhancing it's industry leading Evolution software product still further, Microtest has added its new QoF dashboard. The Dashboard is implemented as a range of additional modules for Evolution and these are bundled with the latest releases of Microtest Evolution's reporting module. The QoF Dashboard allows practice members to easily check their progress towards their QoF targets using a visual snapshot of current QoF statistics. The QoF Dashboard is the first of several developments that resulted from Microtest’s consultations with customers about what new QoF related facilities would be of most use to them.
The new dashboard can show QoF domain summaries and individual QoF indicators within those domains, as well as listing patients who fall within that domain’s register.
Chris Netherton, Managing Director of Microtest says: “At Microtest, we pride ourselves on listening to our customers and trying to meet their requirements. This is a prime example of where we have done exactly that and worked with practices to supply something really helpful. We also have additional QOF related features in the pipeline that we will be announcing when they are ready.".
Microtest is one of the UK’s top four primary care clinical system suppliers and is renowned for its advanced clinical solutions and customer care.
Microtest Ltd - Published Sun, 14th April 2013
News > Microtest Rises to Migrations Challenge
Microtest is pleased to announce that its Data migration staff have made steady progress in migrating the practice databases of the many ex-iSoft practices who have elected to switch to Microtest Evolution Version 12.0. Microtest has gained a significant number of new sites over the past few months, as practices that formerly used iSoft systems have made the decision to opt for Microtest’s advanced GP system - Evolution.
Patient data migration is complex and it is unacceptable to lose any clinically significant information in the process. Not only must facts and figures be preserved, but also the history of clinical event sequences needs to be retained. Despite the difficulties encountered with some iSoft features being based on obsolescent software packages, Microtest’s data migrations team has so far managed to deliver on all promised migration commitments. By a combination of using highly skilled staff, setting realistic customer expectations and the advanced features available in Microtest Evolution, Microtest has been able to meet its commitments to the practices choosing to join the Microtest family.
Chris Netherton, Managing Director of Microtest says: “We are very pleased that the migrations are going so well. We were very open and honest with potential customers about the timescales of data migrations and the high quality of the migration we routinely achieve. We understand the process well and we know it is a complex one. It's too easy to promise customers a ‘quick fix’ and we consciously avoided doing that, so we are delighted to receive such positive feedback.”
Further migrations will take place over the next few months.
Castlegate - Published Thu, 21st February 2013
News > Microtest eMed3 Rollout
Microtest achieves Full Rollout Approval for eMed3
Microtest has today announced it has achieved Full Rollout Approval (FRA) from NHS Connecting for Health for its eMED3 (‘fit notes’) module. This new functionality, which is fully integrated into Microtest’s Evolution clinical system, enables GPs to complete ‘fit notes’ on their computer, instead of having to manually fill in hand-written notes. Unlike hand-written fit notes, the electronic fit note is automatically added to the patient’s electronic record and printed off so that any advice in it can be easily read by their patient and their employee. Duplicates can be easily printed by practice staff. A novel feature of the Microtest system is the ability to extend a fit note automatically. Microtest is one of the UK’s top five primary care clinical system suppliers and is renowned for its advanced clinical solutions and customer care.
FRA was achieved after rigorous testing by NHS Connecting for Health and DWP and after Microtest had deployed the solution to several First Of Type pilot sites.
David Sheppard, Managing Partner at Rosedean House Surgery, says: “The GPs who piloted eMED3 here at the practice are very, very pleased with it and wish to continue beyond the end of the trial period. It makes their lives much easier and ensures an accurate medical record entry is made without fail!”
Chris Netherton, Managing Director of Microtest, says: “This is another new and exciting piece of functionality to be delivered by Evolution 12 with much more to come. We are very pleased to be one of the first suppliers to provide the new functionality and delighted that our customers are finding the new software so useful.”
Evolution v12 includes the new eMed3 module - for information please consult the Evoltuion 12 release notes or email customer care.
Castlegate Communications - Published Thu, 18th October 2012
News > EPS 2 gains full roll-out approval from NHS CFH - Full Press Release
Microtest receive Full Rollout Approval for Release 2
of Electronic Prescription Service
17 May 2012
Microtest, one of the UK’s top 5 GP clinical system suppliers, today announced that its Evolution solution has been awarded Full Rollout Approval for the Electronic Prescription Service Release 2 (EPS) as part of NHS Connecting for Health’s accreditation process. The Microtest Evolution 11 Solution has successfully completed rigorous testing to achieve full accreditation and Microtest customers will now benefit from this success. Microtest has over 30 years’ experience of providing flexible clinical solutions across the primary care sector and its Evolution 11 solution represents a benchmark for comprehensive, easy to use and intuitive clinical systems.
The Electronic Prescription Service will allow all practices in England to produce prescriptions electronically which are digitally signed and sent to the pharmacy chosen, or nominated, by the patient. The new service will produce significant savings in both time and money as there is no requirement for electronic prescriptions to be hand signed by GPs and there is no need for a patient to visit the surgery just to collect a prescription. The system is also fully Repeat Dispensing compliant.
Chris Netherton, Managing Director of Microtest said: “Evolution 11 delivers a host of new functionality and also makes implementation of EPS Release 2 and Personal Demographic Services v2 (PDSv2) very simple. All of the necessary tools for the use of dm+d (required by EPS Release 2) are included with the new software and we even take the hard work out of PDSv2 for our practices. We are delighted to have achieved Full Rollout Approval of Release 2 of EPS and that our customers will benefit from the associated functionality.” He adds: “GP2GP is following hot on the heels of EPSv2, with our software already in interoperability testing with NHS CFH and right behind that is our Summary Care Record module.”
Castelegate Communications - Published Wed, 23rd May 2012
News > Evo.11 & EPS2 gain Full roll-Out Approval
We are pleased to announce that Evolution11 and the Microtest Electronic Prescription Service Release 2 (EPS2) implementation have today been awarded Full Roll-Out Approval by NHS CFH.
Chris Netherton, Managing Director, commented "It has taken considerable effort from many people at Microtest to achieve this and I thank them for all of their hard work. We will begin deploying Evolution 11 to our practices as quickly as possible, and our users will soon start benefiting from EPS2."
Tim Robinson - Published Tue, 15th May 2012
News > Evolution integrates with Surgery Rota
“A weeks’ worth of appointments were saved onto the system in 10 seconds!”
From April 2012 Microtest practices will be able to take advantage of another 3rd-party product joining the extensive list of applications which integrate with, or work alongside, Evolution. Surgery Rota is a specialist appointment and clinic management package including complex scheduling and work pattern analysis which saves time and reduces overhead. Surgery Rota now integrates directly into Evolution Appointments (available April 2012).
Simon Toms, IT Manager at a busy 8 GP surgery in Brixham Devon, was the first pilot site for the integrated version and has been hugely impressed with the solution:
“Surgery Rota allows me to generate complex rotas into Evolution in a matter of minutes. I can see where we are short of staff quickly and easily – make the necessary adjustments - and save the clinics into Evolution when I am ready. A weeks’ worth of appointments were saved onto the system in 10 seconds!”
Microtest have worked with Surgery Rota every step of the way and are pleased to announce the release of the integrated version this April.
Practices can learn about Surgery Rota by visiting their stand at upcoming Microtest Roadshows across the country (see http://www.microtest.co.uk/index.php?disp=events.php), or by visiting www.surgeryrota.co.uk
Tim Robinson - Published Fri, 9th March 2012
News > Datacentre POC Live
The Microtest Datacentre proof of concept is up and running for testing. This proof of concept will enable Microtest to confirm that their new datacentre meets NHS CfH standards moving us to GPSoC hosted status and allowing practices to choose to be hosted by Microtest rather than have a local server.
The new Datacentre POC will run alongside our existing non-GPSoC hosted services (Microtest Datacentre1) in new premises adjacent to our Bodmin headoffice.
For more information or to express an early interest in moving to the hosted system, email sales@microtest.co.uk or call 0845 345 1606
Tim Robinson - Published Tue, 17th January 2012
News > Microtest creates Facebook page
Join Microtest now on Facebook.
Read about the latest events, news, product releases and use the interactive pages to help steer where Microtest go with developing Evolution.
Join us now on Facebook.
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Sales - Published Tue, 17th January 2012
News > Dr Tom McKinstry produces the first Electronic Prescription on the South coast
The first electronic prescription for the Southern Cluster* has been produced using Release 2 of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) by Dr Tom McKinstry of the Village Medical Practice in Dorset, using Microtest’s Evolution system. The new Microtest Evolution v11 Clinical System received first of type approval from NHS Connecting for Health earlier last month, allowing EPS to be used in up to four GP surgeries to send a patient's prescription electronically to a pharmacy of the patient's choice.
The Microtest Evolution v11 System is currently being tested in these practices prior to full approval and the software being rolled out to all Microtest practices across England.
The Electronic Prescription Service will allow all practices in England to produce prescriptions electronically which are digitally signed and sent to the pharmacy chosen, or nominated, by the patient. The new service will also produce significant savings in both time and money, as there is no requirement for paper prescriptions to be signed by GPs and there is no need for a patient to visit the surgery just to collect a prescription.
Dr Tom McKinstry said, “This new way of working will deliver benefits to patients and practices alike and will enable more effective use of our time helping patients rather than manually signing prescriptions.” Dr McKinstry is a keen user of the Microtest Evolution Clinical System.
Chris Netherton, Managing Director of Microtest said: “The delivery and commissioning of Release 2 of EPS in our practices has gone very smoothly and brings one of our many significant DoH development projects to fruition. Evolution 11 delivers many new and exciting benefits to practices, of which EPS 2 is just one. We hope to gain Full Rollout Approval by November.”
*Made up of South West, South Central and South East Strategic Health Authorities
Microtest Sales - Published Mon, 10th October 2011
News > Evolution 11 - PDSv2 & EPSr2
Evolution 11 delivers PDSv2 and enters First of Type testing for EPSr2
Our Evolution solution has been awarded Full Roll-out Approval for PDSv2 (Personal Demographic Service Version 2). We have also entered First of Type testing for Release 2 of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPSr2) as part of NHS Connecting for Health’s accreditation process and we expect to achieve Full Roll-out Approval shortly.
The PDSv2 update brings more benefits to users, including support for multiple names, addresses and contacts per patient, and a change to the patient registration screens to prioritise most commonly referenced information at the forefront for more efficient use. EPSr2 will save time for GPs, practice staff and patients alike. Patients won’t have to visit their GP practice to get repeat prescriptions, GPs will no longer need a pen to sign prescriptions and prescriptions will not get lost. In additional, the EPSr2 module implements all NHS CFH requirements, including functions such as bulk signing and electronic repeat dispensing and has been designed to be fully configurable and support future EPS Release 2 features as the NHS requests them, such as controlled and private scripts via EPS.
A summary of the benefits of EPS to clinicians, patients and pharmacies can be viewed on the NHS CFH website here.
Pilots are now taking place in practice across England, and you can expect more information via Press Releases on the E-Health Insider website, and at upcoming Roadshows and User Groups.
Tim Robinson - Published Wed, 3rd August 2011
News > Locums Praise Evolution - Suggestions Welcome
Microtest always receive positive feedback from locum GPs regarding Evolution, and we are pleased to say that this trend continues this summer with the Evolution 10.05 release featuring new additions such as an improved and clearer practice formulary module and enhanced searching tools.
Tina Hugh, Data Quality Manager at Probus Surgery in Cornwall, said;
"Probus recently employed a Locum, new to the county, to carry out a busy 'on-call' Monday morning session and she was very impressed with the clinical system. After about 20 minutes tuition, she confidently carried out the entire session with little input from staff, stating that Evolution was both logical and easy to use."
Microtest are constantly improving Evolution to make it easier to use for both practice staff and locums - information regarding locum experiences or general suggestions are always welcome, so if you have any comments, please email customer.care@microtest.co.uk
Sales - Published Tue, 2nd August 2011
News > Microtest first on Digital Retinopathy
Microtest became the first of the GP supplier to receive full roll-out approval for the GP to Diabetic Retinopathy Screening (GP2DRS) service in March 2011. Since then we have received a great deal of interest regarding digital retinopathy.
The GP2DRS service aims to automate data sharing between more than 8,000 GP practices in England and 100 diabetic retinopathy screening services and all GP Systems of Choice suppliers are expected to deliver the service.
NHS Connecting for Health said "Microtest was the first GP Systems of Choice supplier to complete all its assurance activities and after a successful pilot period was awarded full roll out approval on 22 March", ahead of all other GP suppliers.
Microtest practices can sign-up for the process now, please contact either support@microtest.co.uk or your PCT diabetes co-ordinators. An information sheet regarding GP2DRS is available on the Microtest Support Zone (here) and at Roadshow and User Group events.
E-Health Insider featured an article on Microtest First for Diabetic Retinopathy on their news pages: http://www.ehi.co.uk/news/EHI/6765/microtest-first-on-digital-retinopathy
Tim Robinson - Published Mon, 1st August 2011
News > West Of Cornwall Roadshow
The Microtest West Of Cornwall Roadshow was held at The Penventon Park Hotel in Redruth on June 22nd.
As always the event was well attended by Microtest users and lively discussion and user group sessions were accompanied by new product demonstrations and Q&A with members of Microtest Support and Training Teams.
Microtest's latest innovation - the GURU patient access system, designed for consortia and sharing of records between Microtest practices was particularly well received, as was the news that Evolution 11 will soon be available with fully integrated PDSv2 and EPSr2. GURU is designed for mobile devices, including Apple iPADs and allows almost instant access to your patient records whilst away from the office.
Diane McWilliam of Stennack Surgery, a 10+ partner Microtest practice in Cornwall, said of the event:
"I was lucky enough to be nominated by my surgery to attend the Microtest Roadshow at Redruth yesterday. I'm just e mailing to say how much I enjoyed it and to thank everyone who worked so hard to make it worthwhile.
I use Evolution daily and have come to admire it enormously (by far the best system I have used in general practice), but was stunned at the some of the possibilities I saw demonstrated and returned to work inspired and excited at what the future of our surgery admin might look like.
What was also great was that the staff were happy to listen to my comments and suggestions as a user and feed them back to those developing future systems - the mark of a real "Quality" approach.
Would you pass on my thanks for a brilliant and very enjoyable roadshow."
For details of upcoming Roadshows and User Group Events in your area, please see the News & Events page.
Sales - Published Fri, 1st July 2011
News > Commissioning 2011 @ Olympia
Microtest attended the Commissioning 2011 event at Olympia in London on June 15th and 16th.
The event allowed Healthcare professionals to view offerings of consortium and PBC products and in the case of Microtest, to see how Evolution and our new GURU product would fit into the emerging consortia within the NHS.
The stand was busy throughout both days with visitors very impressed with Evolution the system. and Microtest the company.
The consistently high level of interest in Microtest was very encouraging and from feedback at the event we can continue to improve Evolution with consortia and PBC features.
We look forward to attending Commissioning 2012 and hope to see Microtest users at the event!
Sales - Published Fri, 1st July 2011
News > The Information Revolution
Microtest and Graphnet Health deliver “The Information Revolution” in Stockport
Microtest and Graphnet Health today announced that have successfully implemented their joint data streaming interoperable solution at NHS Stockport. Microtest practices and their patients are now able to benefit by sharing data with NHS Stockport via Graphnet’s Stockport Health Record (SHR). The SHR uses interoperability and integration between multiple computer systems to stream GP practice and hospital data into a shared record which can be accessed by out-of-hours services and by Stepping Hill Hospital’s emergency department. This innovative solution helps improve patient safety and quality of care by ensuring that information is available at the point of clinical care wherever it is needed.
Microtest has worked with Graphnet to develop the Microtest Integration process, which enables this enhanced interoperability. The solution is fully automated , requiring no additional work by the practice and incorporates Microtest’s robust security model. Graphnet Health has implemented a detailed shared care record where GP information from across the region is extracted and made available to out of hours clinicians via the Graphnet care record system. To date, more than 96% of Microtest’s Stockport practices are streaming into the SHR via the Graphnet care record system, with the remainder due to come on board shortly. Fully supporting patient opt-out procedures, the Microtest integration process has the highest level security processes to ensure that Microtest practices maintain patient confidentiality. The product is available to all Microtest practices, and is already in use in many other areas, including the South East of England and the Midlands, and will help many organisations meet their QIPP agenda.
Chris Netherton, Managing Director of Microtest says: "It has been a pleasure to work with Stockport PCT, our practices and Graphnet to arrive at a solution that is so beneficial to patients and their care. Clinicians in A&E and Out of Hours are now able to make quick but informed decisions based on current and key clinical information in settings where seconds saved can be vital in keeping a patient alive.”
Microtest is an approved GP Systems of Choice Contract supplier and was one of the first GP System Suppliers to sign and to be awarded with an NHS GP Systems of Choice Contract. Microtest has been supplying and developing primary care clinical systems for over 30 years. (www.microtest.co.uk). For further information, please contact Chris Netherton of Microtest on 0845 345 1606 or Suzie Creighton of Castlegate Communications on 0772 999 3721 or suzie@castlegatecommunications.co.uk
Suzie Creighton - Published Wed, 5th January 2011