GP software supplier Emis is ahead of schedule in rolling out technology to allow surgeries to transfer patient records electronically between them.

Nearly 1000 of the supplier's customers across the country can now transfer files to surgeries that are using software provided by rival In Practice Systems.

And by the end of the year, Emis aims for compatible systems to be deployed to more than 2300 GP practices – 46 per cent of the firm's user base.

Emis managing director Sean Riddell said: "That such a large number of GP practices are now able to transfer records electronically between the two major clinical system suppliers in the UK offers major practical and clinical advantages."

GP to GP records transfer is part of the centrally-run £12bn National Programme for NHS IT.