Software package and information systems

Description

The NI GP Flu Surveillance Project's primary business objective is to efficiently and effectively gather flu data from GP practice systems on a timely basis: this includes identifying influenza cases; monitoring the prescribing of seasonal antibiotics and influenza antivirals; and monitoring the number of people vaccinated with seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines. Apollo Medical Services has hosted/provide support to the NI GP Flu surveillance project for the last 10 years. The NI GP flu surveillance project has been running successfully for 10 years. The primary business objective of this project is to efficiently and effectively gather flu data from GP practice systems on a timely basis: this includes identifying influenza cases; monitoring the prescribing of seasonal antibiotics and influenza antivirals; and monitoring the number of people vaccinated with seasonal and pandemic influenza vaccines. Services have previously been procured using the TPA process (TPA13-1400280), however this is no longer an option. In the future the overall aim for the NI GP flu surveillance project would be to incorporate it into the GPIP when up and running. This is expected within the next 12-24 months. As the TPA option no longer exists in order to procure services for this project we are required to use a STA. It is proposed that GPIP will be used in the near future for the NI GP flu surveillance project. If the STA failed we are at risk of losing clinical flu consultation data from GPs and OOH centres and would be unable to provide the same level of resilient comprehensive flu surveillance data for inclusion in the Public Health Agency (PHA) flu bulletin, for national reporting to Public Health England (PHE) in London and the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) and for answering media enquiries and AQs.