"Anima"

While potentially helpful and time-saving for both patient and GP practice, the system has serious flaws (it is time-wasting and frustrating to use).

1. The system is requiring data that should already be held by an NHS database or accessible by Anima from an NHS database. When a specific GP practice is selected by the user, an anima database should allow the patient to be identified just by name and birth date. Only when there is ambiguity should the NHS number be requested.

2. In many instances, a patient is requiring a non-urgent consultation with a specified GP in respect of an on-going condition which should be available to an anima database from a main NHS database. It should be noted that it seems that medical records for a patient living in a different county to that of a surgery are not available to both GP or hospital.

3. The UI of the systems is clear and its heirarchical implementation of health issue is comprehensive.

4. Overall, Anima is considered by me to be time wasting to me and the GP. For simple requests or making appointments for an ongoing condition, the system should allow an appointment to be made by phone or by the user being presented with an on-line calendar of available slots for booking. Phone calls typically involve very long wait times. Advanced systems offer auto call back when queues are long. Anima coders should look at other state-of-the-art commercial systems and good government systems like HMRC.