All hospices in Wales use CanISC to record patient information, including clinical information. CanISC is also used by Local Health Boards and NHS Trusts in Wales. This enables the recording and sharing of patient information and patient contacts across independent and statutory providers.
All activities involving the transfer of a patient from one place of care to another is recorded on CanISC. This would include the reason why a transfer has occurred. However, the timing of this recording and the responsibility for the recording will vary dependent on the nature of the transfer. For example,
· Where the hospice consultant has requested the transfer, this will usually be recorded on CanISC by the hospice within a few hours.
· When a patient is transferred to hospital following routine or emergency care from a clinician in secondary care the LHB or NHS Trust initiating the transfer will usually be responsible for recording this activity. This will usually happen within a few days, often on the same day.
· Patients transferred following an emergency admission, for example following a primary care referral or a carer’s decision, will likely be recorded on CanISC within a few days. Hospices record this information as soon as they are made aware that a patient under their care has been transferred. The receiving hospital team may also record this information.
Please note there is likely to be some local variation in practice.
For further information, please contact Dr Catrin Edwards, Policy and Advocacy Manager (Wales), Hospice UK c.edwards@hospiceuk.org.