A
new IT system will be in place in all GP practices across Dumfries and Galloway
by the end of September.
NHS Scotland’s Vision IT system is being
rolled out to GPs across the region this year, with 12 practices already using
the new system, and the remaining 20 due to make the switch over the summer.
Greyfriars
Medical Practice in Dumfries became the first to change over in 2026 at the end
of January, and the project is set to complete at the beginning of October.
Individual practices will contact patients, pharmacists and other stakeholders
to let them know the changeover dates, which will vary from practice to
practice.
This
major initiative, supported by NHS National Services Scotland and the Scottish
Government, introduces a modern, secure, and flexible IT solution across all GP
practices in Scotland.
Dr
Neil Kelly, Clinical Lead for GPIT in NHS Dumfries and Galloway, said: “This is
a major project – the largest change to GPs’ computer systems in fifteen years.
It has gone smoothly so far, which is a great credit to all the people involved
at NHS Scotland, here at NHS DG, and at all the individual practices involved.
For
a practice, switching over to Vision is a 12-week process, followed by a
settling-in period with the new system in place. For most of that time,
practices should continue to operate as usual. However, during the settling-in
period practice operations will be affected, with limited access to patient
records. Tasks may take longer to complete as practice staff get used to the
new system, and for two to four weeks practices will operate a reduced service,
with limited access to non-urgent appointments.
Individual
GP practices will advise their patients on how to manage during this short
period – for example, people with recurring prescriptions may be advised to get
them renewed early, and routine appointments could be rescheduled in order to
allow practices to focus on the most urgent cases.