Murton Medical Group: Prevention at scale, built in
Using SystmOne’s native automation to transform HbA1c management
Murton Medical Group wanted technology to do more than record results. With increasing volumes of HbA1c testing, the practice needed a way to intervene earlier for patients at risk of diabetes, apply clinical logic consistently, and protect limited nursing capacity, all without introducing additional systems or cost.
Using SystmOne, the team reshaped how HbA1c results are handled so that prevention and early intervention are built directly into routine workflows.
“SystmOne allows us to work more safely and sustainably. By removing variation and manual steps, the system supports better clinical decisions today while giving us a platform that’s ready for future models of care, from prevention at scale to neighbourhood working.”
Dr Lindsay Rigby, GP Partner at Murton Medical Group.
Moving from reactive follow-up to proactive, automated care
Previously, patients with non-diabetic hyperglycaemia were often booked into nursing appointments to discuss results, while follow-up for higher HbA1c values relied on individual judgement. This created variation, avoidable appointments and a risk of delayed diagnosis.
By configuring existing functionality within SystmOne, particularly leveraging the expanding automation made possible since the introduction of SystmOne’s inbuilt Pathology Auto-filling capability, the practice replaced this reactive approach with pathology-driven workflows that run reliably in the background every time a result is filed.
These workflows are used consistently by all clinicians involved in filing pathology results, including GPs, ANPs, practice nurses and clinical pharmacists, ensuring a standardised approach regardless of role.
The innovation is built on the ability to control and customise core digital tools – in short, the configurability and flexibility of SystmOne. This has enabled the practice to develop and roll out a complete, integrated pathway with highly effective workflows.”. We manage the entire process end-to-end, using SystmOne’s integrated tools.
Building prevention and early intervention into everyday workflows
Preventing progression from non-diabetic hyperglycaemia
“What makes this possible is the depth of configurability in SystmOne. We were able to design workflows that reflect exactly how we want to practise, embedding clinical logic, communication and follow-up directly into the record in a way that simply wouldn’t be achievable in more rigid systems.”
Dr. Lindsay Rigby, GP Partner at Murton Medical Group.
Using SystmOne’s flexible and customisable protocol functionality, Murton Medical Group created an automated pathway triggered by HbA1c results in the non-diabetic hyperglycaemia range.
Murton Medical Group coupled this protocol functionality with SystmOne autofiling. This native feature in SystmOne automatically processes incoming clinical data, most commonly pathology results, so that they are filed, coded and acted on consistently without manual intervention. This removes reliance on individual clinician memory and ensures the same action happens every time a result is filed.
When these results are filed, the system automatically:
- Launches the protocol
- Generates a personalised patient letter including the HbA1c result
- Provides clear written guidance
- Enables direct self-referral to the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme
- Sends the communication digitally via the communications annex, with a print option where needed
Prevention is embedded into routine care. Patients receive timely, consistent information and are empowered to act early, while nurses are freed from appointments that do not require clinical intervention.
Ensuring timely and accurate diagnosis
For HbA1c results of 48 mmol/mol or above where diabetes is not already coded, a second protocol uses SystmOne’s ability to surface historic results and apply clinical logic at the point of care.
The system:
- Displays previous HbA1c results
- Guides clinicians to repeat testing after a first raised result
- Automatically applies the Type 2 diabetes code after a second confirmed result
- Prompts appropriate nurse review
This removes variation and reduces risk, ensuring that early diagnosis happens consistently and safely – a key element of secondary prevention.
Extending automation beyond HbA1c
The HbA1c workflows form part of a wider approach to automation within the practice. Similar protocols are already in place to support prescribing and follow-up for vitamin D deficiency and folic acid deficiency, reinforcing that this is not a one-off solution but a repeatable model for managing long-term conditions more efficiently.
Why this works in practice
This approach is effective because it fits seamlessly into day-to-day clinical work. Pathology, coding, communications and follow-up all sit within the same patient record, allowing information to flow without duplication or fragmentation.
As these workflows are built directly into the core system, the practice has been able to test, refine and expand them safely over time. Peer support from the wider SystmOne community, including shared resources and advice from other users, has helped clinicians build confidence in developing and adapting protocols to meet local needs.
Reliable, cloud-based access ensures these automated pathways continue to run consistently, even during periods of high demand, giving the team confidence that results are always acted on.
Measurable impact
“The results have been striking. We’ve reduced missed diagnoses, intervened earlier for patients at risk, and released a significant amount of nursing time, all while improving consistency and patient understanding. That combination of safety and efficiency is hard to achieve without this level of automation.”
Dr. Lindsay Rigby, GP Partner at Murton Medical Group.
The impact of the automated HbA1c workflows has been measurable, delivering clear improvements in efficiency, consistency and early intervention for patients at risk of diabetes.
The time and cost savings released through automation are now allowing nurses to spend more time supporting patients living with Type 2 diabetes.
So far the practice has seen:
- 40 new non-diabetic hyperglycaemia cases identified in three months
- Over 13 hours of nursing time saved
- Around 20 minutes saved per patient
- Estimated cost saving of approximately £110 per month
Missed Type 2 diabetes diagnoses have fallen significantly, while patients benefit from earlier information and clearer, more consistent pathways.
Overall, it demonstrates how SystmOne’s native configurability allows prevention, early diagnosis and measurable efficiency gains to be embedded safely into everyday practice, supporting sustainable, future-ready care without the need for additional systems or bolt-ons.