In the face of an epidemic, the NHS is working hard to prevent the spread of coronavirus but concerns remain about the ability of the health service to cope with the virus.

Measures taken in response to COVID-19 include raising public awareness around the importance of hand washing, reducing misinformation about the virus and increasing the number of coronavirus testing.

The impact on primary care could be significant according to Richard Vautrey of the British Medical Association. He has warned that GP routine check-ups may need halted, prioritising more urgent cases of care. The result, he concedes, is that ‘some patients may have to wait longer than normal to see their GP’.

Updating algorithms to detect COVID-19

Well before the coronavirus outbreak started, patients in the UK were struggling to get hold of the GP. To address this challenge and support better patient flow across practices we introduced our Klinik Access solution, a new cutting-edge AI-based online triage technology, to the NHS.

In mid-February, following widespread concerns the virus could spread internationally, we updated its Klinik Access algorithm in just 24 hours, to detect symptoms of coronavirus and signpost patients to the official NHS guidance.

The 24/7 online symptom checking and urgency assessment service can now identify COVID-19 in the UK, meaning GPs can provide appropriate care for patients with coronavirus symptoms, whilst keeping health professionals safe.

This update is live in GP providers across the north of England. Haxby Group were the first to adopt our Klinik Access tech which is being rolled out to up to 60,000 patients across Hull and York.

Acting quickly to protect patients and GP providers

Ben Wood, Director of Operations & Sales for Klinik Healthcare Solutions UK, said: “In these worrying times, where patient access is essential but physical contact could put the healthcare professional at risk, we have acted quickly to help the NHS tackle the spread of coronavirus.

“By updating the algorithm for our online triage service, we have increased patient access to healthcare professionals, while keeping everyone as safe as possible. It is clear that digital solutions will play an important part in containing the outbreak.” added Wood.

Support for CCGs

Furthermore, we are offering the Klinik Access solution as a quick and easy to deploy portal for clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to monitor and manage patients’ coronavirus online or phone enquiries.

Developed to increase patient access and protect the wellbeing of healthcare professionals at this challenging time, our Whole System Triage Service can direct appropriate patients to video consultations to avoid the spread of the virus.

All inbound enquiry information, such as demographic, location, symptom and condition data is collected and visible in easy to use dashboards that can be configured to report at CCG, primary care networks (PCN) and practice levels to help monitor the outbreak at local levels.

Be safe

Our message to all our people and partners is to be as safe as possible by following official NHS advice on COVID-19 from Public Health England. We will do our bit to help the NHS contain the outbreak.

Klinik Access is an online consultation & patient flow management software that directs patients to the optimal resource in primary care. The system’s unique algorithm interprets the person’s symptoms to make a provisional assessment, and estimates the urgency of the care needed. Based on this, the person is automatically referred to the right place for care to begin.