The NCL Digital Diagnostics programme promotes joined-up health and care records to provide access to important information at the point of care, for the whole care team.

The Clinisys ICE Imaging Order Communication System, incorporating the MedCurrent iRefer Clinical Decision Support (CDS) tool is set to launch in spring 2025. This is part of the wider digital diagnostics programme delivering NCL Digital Diagnostic Programme vision to be the most digitally integrated and intelligent health and care economy across the NHS.

ICE allows electronic imaging requests, and communication of results, between EMIS and NCL secondary care providers. Imaging requests will still be made via EMIS.

iRefer CDS is a digitised version of The Royal College of Radiologists evidence-based guidelines. This offers a source of advice regarding optimal radiological investigations at the point of request.

Some of the key benefits expected to be realised within primary and community care are:

• Reduced complexity and faster requesting process.
• More patient choice as to where examinations can be performed.
• Faster report turnaround times.
• More appropriate examination requests.

The project will be delivered in 2 phases; these are:

• Phase 1: To establish an NCL-wide patient demographic record and migrate the existing Radiology results reporting solutions at all Trusts in scope to Clinisys ICE.
• Phase 2: Build on phase 1 with the introduction of ICE electronic requesting of Radiology exams; supplemented by iRefer clinical decision support application.

A task and finish group comprising of key primary care stakeholders has been established to support the coordination of the work required to roll out the system. The group will provide expert advice to help shape ideas and requirements for the successful deployment of the solution across primary care providers in NCL.

The NCL performance and transformation directorate is currently liaising with GP practices for the configuration of trading partner information in GP clinical systems to enable the new ICE Radiology results reporting capability, which is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2025.

If you have any questions in the meantime or would like to offer your feedback, contact the NCL Digital Programme Team.