We have made considerable investment in electronic primary care systems over the past 10 years. Developments include two electronic general practitioner record systems; systems to share emergency care information; systems that allow community health workers to access information on the move; telehealth and telecare systems; and an e-pharmacy programme. The next step is to build on that good foundation in order to improve interoperability between systems, develop components that are still missing and create an integrated primary care ecosystem that is linked to acute services.

The GP information technology framework contract is due for reprocurement in 2017, which will offer the opportunity to review systems and applications and to define future requirements to inform the procurement process. We have an e-health strategy, which identifies investment priorities, including those in primary care. The strategy is being refreshed to reflect progress and technological advances.