I didn't mean to imply they sell it sorry. No it's income
I know you didn't, but the amount of times people think this when I'm training and talk about data generating income for the trust is ridiculous. Before I can explain, someone always says "WHAT?! Do we sell it on?! I didn't know THAT!" Many admin staff don't realise we can lose thousands just from doing something like accidentally entering the wrong date of admission.
That's why it's a bit exasperation get if patients get cross being asked questions because they were asked the same ones in AE or by a nurse etc..
You do realise that hospitals and GPs use completely different clinical IT systems, don't you?
There is the nationally networked Spine which can be used to identify patients, but it only holds basic details such as name, dob, address, registered GP, NHS number etc.
Your summary care record (SCR) holds a bit more info, but is only as good as the person who updates it (which is usually your GP).
But the hospital and GP will still use different systems. Many still do paper referrals, although some use emails or online e-referrals now too. So you will get asked to clarify/confirm things when you go to different places because they don't share all the info on a referral. I get worried when they don't ask, because things can change significantly very quickly.
With admin staff, there is only so much info they can get off a referral. They don't usually contain things like Ethnicity, marital status, occupation or religion. For that reason, at my trust we consider them as things to be asked when you check in for an appointment. As well as double checking all your other details are still the same. You'd be surprised at the number of people who have moved, but still give their old address when asked and then complain when their appointment letters are sent to the old address! Recently someone actually said "I just thought you were being nosey." Give me strength!!!
LetsJungly: Plus we have to as its a question and our paperwork gets audited!
YY to that! And a for you from one of the people doing the auditing!!!