Q. Just wondering about GP practice software systems and the accreditation they are given by GPIT. Is it a legal requirement, best practice or a recommendation?

A. Use of GP software systems accredited by the GPIT Group is not a legal requirement. But it is both a recommendation and best practice. The accreditation process ensures the software is fit for purpose. The main risks you face around use of non-accredited systems are related to medico-legal claims and the absence of robust audit trails. You may also be lacking patient safety features such as alerts for allergies and recalls. The certification standard is available to view in the Publications & Reports section of the GPIT website at www.gpit.ie. It is a 100 plus page document and defines the conformance criteria an accredited system must attain.