In Practice Systems Limited (INPS) is a health informatics company, part of the Cegedim group and based in the United Kingdom.
Company history
The company was established in 1984 under the name of Ranchalley Ltd. It quickly changed its name to Value Added Medical Products Ltd (VAMP)[1] and then to Reuters Health Information Ltd in 1997.[2] In 1998 INPS was acquired by the Cegedim group.[3] In 2004, the company purchased the UK arm of NDCHealth, makers of Pharmacy Manager software that was widely used across the UK.[4] It later rebranded as Vision.[citation needed]
In 1990 VAMP was one of the four most popular GP computer systems in Wales.[5] In 2010, INPS had about 20% of the English market, 30% of the market in Scotland and Northern Ireland and just over 50% of the market in Wales.[3]
On 10 December 2024 In Practice Systems Limited was voluntarily placed into administration by the Cegedim group.
Products
- Vision 3, a clinical system used within primary care settings
- Vision Online Services, a Web-based patient-centric service
- Outcomes Manager, a population health solution for local healthcare communities.
England
In 2018, the GP IT Futures framework was announced as a new way to support modularity in healthcare systems in England and so make it easier for new suppliers to enter the market.[6] Before this, INPS had produced one of the computer systems available to GPs in England under the Systems of Choice scheme from 2008, as well as through Local Service Provider, the CSC. Like other GP systems it made extensive use of Read codes. The other approved GP systems are SystmOne, EMIS Health and Microtest Health.[7]
From April 2014 practices were contractually required to promote and offer patients the opportunity to book appointments online, order repeat prescriptions online and gain access to their medical records online.[8]
The system hosts pathway management systems which automate the processes of monitoring patients, for example those taking disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs which are potentially toxic.[9]
Wales
In 2018, along with Microtest Health, it was awarded a four-year contract for GP clinical systems by the NHS Wales Informatics Service. This came after EMIS was excluded because its bid failed to 'meet a number of the necessary evaluation criteria relating to financial, contractual and functional requirements', according to NHS Wales. INPS Vision was already established in Wales, but Microtest was not.[10]
References
- ^ Curry, Lynne (24 April 1994). "Science: Lean and hungry after a visit to the doctor: GPs spell squeezed profits for software firms". Independent on Sunday. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
- ^ "In Practice Systems Limited". Companies House. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
- ^ a b "EHI PC Interview: INPS". Ehealth Insider. 6 July 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
- ^ "InPS acquires retail pharmacy IT solution". Digital Health Insider. 11 November 2004. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
- ^ Goves, J R; Davies, T; Reilly, T (13 July 1991). "Computerisation of primary care in Wales". BMJ. 303 (6794): 93–94. doi:10.1136/bmj.303.6794.93. PMC 1670678. PMID 1860010.
- ^ "NHS Digital tests waters for new £450m GP IT framework". Digital Health. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
- ^ Mari, Angelica (21 October 2019). "NHS Digital announces suppliers for GP IT Futures framework". Computer Weekly. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
- ^ "Will your IT system support the requirements of the new contract?". 14 April 2014. Pulse. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ^ "Commissioning supplement: Sorting the good ideas". Health Service Journal. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
- ^ Bostock, Nick (30 January 2018). "Half of GP practices in Wales face IT system switch". GP Online. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
