Not All Normals Are Normal: Safer Pathology Filing in NHS Primary Care with MyBotGP
MyBotGP helps NHS GP practices, Primary Care Networks (PCNs), and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) save time and improve patient safety by automating safe filing of normal pathology results.
The Challenge in NHS Primary Care
Every day, thousands of pathology results flow into GP practices across the NHS. Most are flagged as “normal” by the Lab. Yet GPs and clinicians know that normal does not always mean safe.
- ➢ An HbA1c may appear fine in a patient with anaemia.
- ➢ A TSH can sit in range while a patient on lithium drifts into hypothyroidism.
- ➢ A creatinine result may look stable in a frail patient, but kidney function is already compromised.
That’s why GPs and practice teams still spend significant time reviewing every single “normal” result. It’s essential for patient safety — but it is also a substantial burden on NHS Primary Care workload.
The Hidden Cost of “Normal” Pathology Results
- ➢ GPs typically spend 20–30 minutes each day reviewing results marked as “normal.”
- ➢ In a four-partner GP practice, this adds up to 8–10 clinical hours per week!
- ➢ At PCN and ICB levels, this equates to thousands of clinical hours every year — time that could be redirected back into patient care.
This process is necessary, but it is repetitive, manual, and varies from practice to practice.
Why “Normal” Results Still Need Checking
Even when a pathology result is within the Lab’s reference range, clinicians must check for:
- ➢ Medication effects – e.g. steroids, amiodarone, lithium, ACE inhibitors, diuretics.
- ➢ Comorbidities – e.g. anaemia, chronic kidney disease (CKD), pregnancy.
- ➢ Pathology report notes – flags or interpretative comments from the Lab.
- ➢ Demographics – ensuring correct age- and sex-specific ranges are applied.
This safety net is essential, but it consumes valuable GP and practice time.
How MyBotGP Transforms Pathology Filing
MyBotGP is an automation platform designed specifically for NHS Primary Care. It replicates the checks that clinicians already perform when reviewing results — but applies them instantly, consistently, and safely.
The MyBotGP Rules Engine
Agree with the Lab – applies standard minimum and maximum reference ranges.
Supersede the Lab – applies client-specific adjusted ranges where required.
Compare Results – checks against previous tests to detect percentage changes and trends.
Review Patient History & Report – scans for relevant comorbidities, medications, and lab comments.
Medication & Condition Checks – ensures “normal” values are not misleading in context.
Demographic Adjustments – applies male/female and age-specific ranges.
Selective Omission – excludes patients flagged for manual review.
Only when a result passes all relevant checks does MyBotGP file it automatically. Any activity outside the agreed-upon safety rules is escalated for clinician review.
The Benefits for GP Practices, PCNs, and ICBs
- ➢ Improved Patient Safety
- ➢ MyBotGP standardises safety checks, ensuring results are not filed without proper validation.
- ➢ Significant Time Savings
- ➢ Automating the filing of true normals saves hours of GP and admin time each week.
- ➢ Consistency Across Primary Care
- ➢ Removes variation between clinicians and practices, enforcing standardised rules at the practice
- ➢ Supports NHS Transformation Goals
- ➢ MyBotGP aligns with NHS England’s digital transformation priorities, reducing GP workload while improving patient safety.
- ➢ Better Service for Patients
- ➢ Results are processed more efficiently, allowing clinicians to focus on patient care rather than administrative tasks.