These FAQs are for practices and ICBs transitioning to Ardens Manager to monitor Locally Commissioned Services (LCS). They explain what’s changing, how Ardens Manager works, and how to use it confidently for LCS reporting. Please also see Resolving Report Discrepancies on Ardens Manager FAQ.
1. What is Ardens Manager and how does it differ from Ardens Clinical reports?
2. What is included in LCS Essentials?
3. Why are we moving to Ardens Manager for LCS reporting?
4. How is the Ardens Manager logic different from clinical system searches?
5. Why can’t we continue using SystmOne/EMIS reports alongside Ardens Manager?
6. How can we trust the accuracy of Ardens Manager’s reports?
7. How can I check the data if something looks wrong?
8. What if I disagree with the way a report is calculated?
9. Is Ardens Manager replace all in-practice reporting?
10. How do commissioners use Ardens Manager data?
11. Do we still need to use Ardens templates for coding activity?
12. How do I access and activate our Ardens Manager dashboard?
13. Where can I go for more information or training?
1. What is Ardens Manager and how does it differ from Ardens Clinical reports?
- Ardens Manager is a web-based platform that provides dashboards to support monitoring of LCS delivery, contractual performance, and data-driven improvement. It allows access to patient-level data, service indicators, and staff-level reporting aligned with local service specifications.
- Ardens Clinical reports, previously available in EMIS Web and SystmOne, were designed to support local monitoring but are being phased out due to limitations in scope, consistency, and how often they can be updated.
2. What is included in LCS Essentials?
LCS Essentials is free for Ardens Clinical Plus and Pro subscribers, designed to streamline LCS management for GP Practices, PCNs, and ICBs. With automatic data uploads from EMIS Web and SystmOne, it provides powerful dashboards on Ardens Manager to monitor and track indicators required for LCS payments with ease.
Please note, LCS Essentials does not include access to non-LCS dashboards such as QOF, IIF, Appointment and Conditions dashboards. A seperate subscription is required to access these dashboards.
3. Why are we moving to Ardens Manager for LCS reporting?
The move to Ardens Manager helps ensure consistent, transparent, and accurate LCS reporting across your area. It:
- Applies reporting logic built around your local contracts
- Reduces manual validation work
- Avoids duplicate claims
- Supports fair attribution of activity
This benefits both practices and commissioners by simplifying assurance and payment processes.
4. How is the Ardens Manager logic different from clinical system searches?
Ardens Manager processes patient-level data independently of EMIS or SystmOne search tools. It applies centrally maintained rules, using:
Accurate time-framed filters
Clinician ODS codes to assign work
De-duplication of Items of Service
Standardised SNOMED code lists
Better event recognition logic
This approach avoids known issues in system-based reports (e.g., counting historic activity or over-inclusive drug searches).
All logic used is openly viewable via the ‘Rules’ tab in each dashboard, offering practices full transparency into what is being counted and why. See this support article for further information on how to access rules and codes on Ardens Manager.
5. Why can’t we continue using SystmOne/EMIS reports alongside Ardens Manager?
We appreciate that some practices would like to retain access to previous search suites, especially during a period of transition. However, Ardens not planning to reinstate them as standard because the figures they generate often differ from those in Ardens Manager - and not due to errors, but due to the inherent limitations of clinical system searches.
SystmOne and EMIS searches:
Often include outdated or historic activity
Can struggle with unique event counting
May pull unintended codes (e.g. combination drugs)
Cannot consistently attribute work to the correct staff or timeframe
Using both systems in parallel can lead to confusion, duplicated validation efforts, and misalignment of expectations. Ardens Manager has been designed specifically to overcome these issues with consistent, centrally validated logic and full transparency.
If you are concerned about specific discrepancies, we encourage you to use the Patient List and Rules views in Ardens Manager to explore the data and logic in detail. Please let us know if you require any support with this.
6. How can we trust the accuracy of Ardens Manager’s reports?
We understand practices must have confidence in the numbers. That’s why:
Full logic, code lists, exclusions, and rules are viewable within the system.
All data extraction is secure, automated, and happens directly from EMIS or SystmOne.
Dashboards include patient-level drilldown for every claimable activity including activity count per patient.
You can see exactly who coded what and how it contributes to the totals.
Further improvements are planned to enhance validation options - please let us know if you also have any further feedback feature improvements.
7. How can I check the data if something looks wrong?
Use the following features and resources on Ardens Manager and Ardens Clinical:
- Patient List View: shows which patients are included in each indicator (please ensure you enable patient level data)
- Code Breakdown: displays which SNOMED codes triggered the activity
- Staff Breakdown: shows which team members coded the entries
- Ardens Clinical Data Quality Reports (EMIS/SystmOne): help you fix source data if needed
Please see our resolving report discrepancies FAQ support article if you identify missing or unexpected data.
If you need help interpreting a report, please contact our support team (support@ardens.org.uk) and a member of the team will be happy to walk through it with you.
8. What if I disagree with the way a report is calculated?
You can:
1. Review the Rules tab and share your concern
2. Submit suggested changes to support@ardens.org.uk
3. Join an upcoming training session and speak to our training specialists or schedule a session training@ardens.org.uk.
We aim to be conistent and explain our logic or adjust if justified.
9. Is Ardens Manager replace all in-practice reporting?
No. Ardens Manager supports LCS monitoring and payments but doesn't replace your day-to-day tools.
Use Ardens Manager for tracking contract performance
Use EMIS/SystmOne for recalls, templates, and cleaning data
Our in-system folders are still available to support good data quality.
10. How do commissioners use Ardens Manager data?
Commissioners can only see anonymised, aggregated data - never patient-level details. All access is governed by Data Sharing Agreement Groups.
11. Do we still need to use Ardens templates for coding activity?
Yes - using Ardens templates ensures the correct SNOMED codes are recorded according to your local contract requirements. Benefits include:
Accurate alignment with Ardens Manager indicators
Fewer missed claims due to incorrect coding
Simpler, standardised workflows for clinicians
Templates are available in both EMIS and SystmOne. For help identifying the right ones, contact: support@ardens.org.uk
12. How do I access and activate our Ardens Manager dashboard?
When your practice is ready for onboarding, we will email the key contact for your organisation we have on file with onboarding instructions. If you are unsure, please contact support-manager@ardens.org.uk for help with:
Logins
Extracting data
Data sharing
Joining your LCS Essentials dashboard
Full setup instructions are available in our onboarding support articles.
13. Where can I go for more information or training?
Please join one of our regular training webinars. Upcoming sessions will be advertised via your ICB mailing list. You can also request practice-specific support via:
? support@ardens.org.uk