The cardiology pilot that was run between May and October 2008 has proved hugely successful.  Four practices from Guildford, Waverley and Hampshire joined Dr O'Donnell & Partners in providing patients for the pilot which was run by InsideVue and Surrey Cardiovascular Clinic in Farnham.  Patients saw waiting times tumble to about one week with 87% being 40 years or older.  Only 17% of patients who were referred to the pilot needed an onward referral to secondary care with the rest either requiring no further treatment or with conditions that could be managed by their GP.  95% of GPs found the service useful in managing patients while 70% reported that the service had provided a diagnosis.  Asked whether the service should be made available through the NHS, GPs responded with a resounding 100% that it should.  Patients found the service to be convenient and fast with all reporting that tests were carried out quickly and efficiently.  Cost savings of 80% were demonstrated.  Data analysis of the survey was undertaken by the Surrey Cardiology Network.  For more information visit: http://www.insidevue.co.uk/Practitioners/

The Farnham GP practices have set up a resource website enabling patients to keep informed about some of the Practice Based Commissioning developments here in Farnham.  Visit www.farnhampbc.com for more information. 

Dr O'Donnell & Partners were the first practice in Farnham to meet the stringent requirements for GP Accreditation  for Operating Computerised Records in early 2007.  Under current regulations, we are required to apply for re-accreditation at the end of the first year so that our systems can be rechecked for full compliance.  This we achieved and we are now fully accredited until 17 June 2011.  The re-accreditation confirms not only the data security of our computerised records systems but also highlights the robust policies and procedures we implement in order to preserve strict patient confidentiality.

Dr O'Donnell & Partners are now providing a range of new surgery opening hours for its patients, these include early morning Commuter Surgeries, Late Evening Surgeries, Saturday Morning Surgeries and a Saturday Early Bird Surgery.  Click here to find out more>>

As part of a programme to improve patient access, Dr O'Donnell & Partners will be introducing daily Walk-In surgeries to augment those that already operate on a Monday and Friday.  The new surgeries will commence on Monday 9 April and will run from 10:30 to 11:30 am enabling registered patients to come to the surgery for a guaranteed same day appointment.  Patients will be seen on a first come first served basis.  For more information on the new appointments system, click here>>

Dr O'Donnell & Partners patients can now benefit from rapid access diagnostic ultrasound avoiding the wait and inconvenience of a hospital visit. 

The consultant backed service is provided by InsideVue whose clinicians work as part of the O'Donnell practice team so that patients enjoy a more personalised level of care.  GPs also benefit not only from the faster access to sophisticated diagnostics but also from the direct contact with clinicians who undertake the examinations. 

This new NHS service commenced on 9 May 2008 and is the first example of Practice Based Commissioning here in Farnham.  To find out more about this exciting new service, click here >>

Dr O'Donnell & Partners have joined a pilot run by InsideVue and Surrey Cardiovascular Clinic aimed at providing a fast track service for patients suffering with shortness of breath and chest palpitations.  The pilot will run from May 2008 until the autumn and will involve a number of practices who have asked to join this exciting and innovative project.  The service is based on three cardiology programmes jointly developed by cardiologists from Surrey Cardiovascular Clinic and the InsideVue team.  Visit http://www.insidevue.co.uk/Practitioners/CommunityCardiology/ for more information.