# Searching across a PCN: sort the governance before the report

> EMIS Web and SystmOne both support reporting across practices. Agree who can see what before anyone builds a network-wide search.

- Published: 6 Oct 2026
- Type: Tip
- Topic: EMIS/SystmOne
- For: PCN leads
- Applies to: UK-wide
- Review: Reviewed by the Abtrace team
- Web page: https://ontherecord.abtrace.com/posts/searching-across-a-pcn/

## What's changed

- Nothing new. For EMIS Web, Enterprise Search & Reports lets PCNs, federations and ICSs search across participating EMIS Web and EMIS-X organisations without logging in to each practice's system.
- Access is controlled through role-based permissions, electronic sharing agreements and audit trails. Output can be patient-identifiable, pseudonymised or anonymised.
- TPP says SystmOne reports can be shared with other practices in a PCN.

## Who it affects

PCN managers and clinical directors who want network-wide figures for recalls, QOF, enhanced services or vaccination uptake.

## What to do

- Decide the purpose of each search first. Many network questions only need counts, not patient lists.
- Agree with member practices, in writing, who can create, run and view reports, and when identifiable output is justified.
- For EMIS Web, check with your ICB or supplier whether Enterprise Search & Reports is already in place locally, as the supplier lists it as an extra that requires EMIS Web.
- For SystmOne, share tested report definitions with member practices so everyone runs the same logic, and use scheduled runs where practices want regular results.

## Sources

- [Enlivio Health (formerly EMIS): Enterprise Search & Reports](https://www.enliviohealth.com/emis-web/enterprise-search-and-reports)
- [TPP: Reporting](https://tpp-uk.com/general-practice/reporting/)

Published by Abtrace on On the Record (https://ontherecord.abtrace.com/). Summaries only; always check the linked source.