Patients in London can access new information about their GP, including screening rates and patient satisfaction for the first time, as London launches the www.myhealth.london.nhs.uk website.

London is the first city to bring together a set of standards for GP practices that represent the minimum patients should expect from their GP. These standards are part of a programme being developed at grass roots level to support and improve GP services in the capital – with patients able to find out how their practice performs against standards like childhood immunisations and cervical screening as well as how they compare with other GP practices in London.

Each practice will have its own webpage which can be customised to showcase their work and keep the public informed of clinics and services, as well as enabling patients to provide feedback. Patient groups can also get involved by providing information about support groups and services which can be publicised on the webpages. Practices which already have websites can create a link to the page.

The project aims to engage with patients by starting at the point where they first come into contact with healthcare, their GP. Myhealthlondon will give patients the opportunity to engage constructively with their local practice, giving them a sense of ownership for services, developments and improvements. Patients will be able to feedback in a number of ways which includes taking part in discussion groups and surveys, as well as leaving practice-specific comments.

Dr Phil Koczan said: “The data on the website is a useful tool for GPs to be able to see how they compare with their colleagues and continue to improve primary care in the capital by learning from other practices and by listening to feedback from their patients.

“Healthcare needs vary widely across London and these individual accessible pages provide a way for practices to illustrate their particular successes and challenges, learn from each other and respond to local issues raised by patients. London is listening to Londoners and solving its issues in a proactive way.”

In some cases local patient groups can be given special editing permissions by GP practices to post information on their pages so they can help in keeping this data up to date and relevant for the needs of the community.

Sylvia Debreczeny, of the Churchill Medical Centre Patient Participation Group said: “Myhealthlondon puts patients at the centre of primary care by giving them access to local data and the opportunity to get involved in patient groups and surveys, so they can ensure their particular needs and priorities are met by their local healthcare service.

“Giving patients a voice can drive more open, locally focussed and constructive dialogue between patients and professionals. Londoners will have a voice on health issues.”

Councillor Colin Barrow, Executive Member for Health and Adult Services at London Councils, said: "This is an exciting initiative which will give Londoners easy access to information on how well their local GP practices are performing. It should be welcomed by everyone who cares about the quality of health services in London."

• • Patients will be able to give their views in a number of ways, which include taking part in surveys and discussion groups. There is also a Patient Voice section, which is provided courtesy of NHS Choices. GPs will have the opportunity to engage with patients and respond to any issues raised on the practice pages.
  • The online discussion groups will be developed in the New Year.
  • The website address is: www.myhealth.london.nhs.uk

The 22 standards are:

• 1. One year cancer survival for lung cancer and breast cancer (by PCT)
  2. Identifying the prevalence of cancer based on estimates for the local population (by PCT)
  3. Cervical Screening (by GP practice)
  4. GP recorded smoking (all patients) – (by GP practice)
  5. GP recorded smoking (patients with long term conditions) - (by GP practice)
  6. Identifying the prevalence of atrial fibrillation based on estimates for the local population (by GP practice)
  7. Uptake of immunisations for children (by GP practice)
  8. Uptake of immunisation for influenza for patients aged over 65, and those at risk under 65 (by GP practice)
  9. Identifying the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease based on estimates for the local population (by GP practice)
  10. Identifying the prevalence of asthma based on estimates for the local population (by GP practice)
  11. Identifying the prevalence of Diabetes based on estimates for the local population (by GP practice)
  12. Identifying the prevalence of coronary heart disease based on estimates for the local population (by GP practice)
  13. Identifying the prevalence of dementia based on estimates for the local population (by GP practice)
  14. Monitoring safe, rational and cost effective prescribing in general practice (by PCT)
  15. The rate of emergency hospital admission for people with long term conditions usually managed by GPs (by GP practice)
  16. Rate of A&E attendances (by GP practice)
  17. Satisfaction with the quality of consultation at the GP practice (by GP practice)
  18. Satisfaction with overall care received at the GP practice (by GP practice)
  19. Patients leaving the GP practice without moving house (not yet published)
  20. Satisfaction in being able to see a preferred doctor (by GP practice)
  21. Satisfaction with accessing primary care (by GP practice)
  22. Significant event reviews (one year and three year minimum levels) - (by GP practice)