At the time of the project, Partnership Pathology Services (PPS) was a joint clinical directorate serving Royal Surrey County Hospital and Frimley Park Hospital. It provided pathology services to hospital patients, GPs, community hospitals and private sector organisations. Its point-of-care testing team also operated Q Point, an External Quality Assessment Scheme supporting blood glucose meter quality assurance. Healthcare professionals and individuals submitted regular test results for analysis and received personalised reports on meter performance.

Q Point’s original database could no longer support the scheme’s growing complexity. Its limited functionality left staff carrying out many tasks manually, while the existing developer struggled to maintain and extend the application. PPS needed a more capable, multi-user system to manage participant records, analyse results and simplify administration. Secure online access was also important, allowing participants to submit readings and view reports, with access for manufacturers envisaged. Hospital constraints meant a traditional client-server deployment was unsuitable, requiring a different technical approach.

One Beyond audited the existing software and developed a remotely hosted Microsoft SQL Server database accessed through secure web services. We implemented statistical calculations and scoring rules to assess meter performance using current and historical participant results, flagging readings that breached performance criteria. A connected web portal enabled users to submit readings and retrieve reports, while automated functions supported billing, participant management, printing and maintenance. The resulting system reduced reliance on manual processes and provided capacity for Q Point to expand beyond its existing participant base.