A brand new clinical IT system for GP practices – ‘the first of a new generation’ of tech – has been introduced and approved by NHS England.
And more suppliers are expected to come onto the market by April 2026, it has been announced today.
The new core clinical IT system created by Medicus Health is already live in four early-adopting sites, serving over 42,000 patients in total.
NHS England has said the system is the first new entrant to the GP IT market for 25 years and its approval come as part of reforms to increase competition and innovation. It adds to the two current main players, EMIS and SystmOne.
Medicus Health uses cloud-based technology to support the integration of primary care with other settings, including care homes and vaccination centres, and can be used on different devices such as tablets – supporting the delivery of neighbourhood care. It is the first to implement five new national open standards for information exchange, including for electronic prescriptions and referrals.
Significantly, it’s the first new supplier to be fully assured through NHS England’s Tech Innovation Framework. This ensures latest products are fully compliant on information governance, clinical safety and data protection, while integrating with NHS infrastructure such as the Electronic Prescription Service, NHS e-Referral Service and NHS App.
Dr Amar Ahmed, GP Partner at Wilmslow Health Centre, one of the first practices to adopt the new system, said it has brought benefits including more informed decisions, quick access to the right information, and a better overall experience for our patients and staff.
He said: ‘I can access patient records instantly, making consultations smoother, and as we get more familiar with the system, we expect to see even greater benefits.’
More than 25 ICBS are now exploring how they can support adoption of new systems, according to NHS England.
Dr Amanda Doyle, NHS national director of primary care and community services, said: ‘This new generation of systems is the first shake-up of the GP IT market we have seen in a quarter of a century, and this shift will help unlock more modern, joined-up care for patients, and help our staff to work better and smarter.
‘It also shows our ongoing commitment to ensuring that the NHS has access to the highest quality digital tools to transform the experience of patients and staff.’
Ruth Rankine, primary care director at the NHS Confederation, said: ‘The approval of a new IT system for GPs is great news for the primary care sector and reflects the issues we have been advocating for on behalf of our primary care members, who have been left frustrated by the limited choice and functionality of current systems’.
