Connecting for Health have released a browser-based, limited-functionality demonstration of Choose and Book for anyone to download.
Entitled Choose and Book Unplugged Version 1, it features referring clinician and service provider clinician functionality and is based around release 2.1 of Choose and Book.
The release notes stress that the CAB Unplugged "is not a copy of all the functionality in the whole of the CAB application on live. So please do not expect CAB Unplugged to be an exact and full copy of the Demo Environment in a standalone format."
The Javascript-based demo features one patient, Joanne Atkin, one specialty that must be selected from the drop-down menu (General Medicine) and one type of clinic, Hypertension. The demo does not retain information – hence the "unplugged" subtitle.
Smartcard authentication is also simulated; a passcode system is implemented but users can type any figure to enter.
The service also demonstrates the kind of information available that will allow the comparison of various referral clinics so patients and GPs can make a decision. This information includes car parking and disabled access facilities as well as star ratings, infection control standards and average waiting times.
The demonstration system requires Internet Explorer 6.0, a screen resolution of 1024 x 768, and active scripting and popups to be enabled.
According to CfH, future releases of the unplugged download will include additional roles and functionality, as well as screenshots of how compliant GP systems will integrate with C&B.
More information and instructions on how to download and install the demo is available here. A direct download of the file [1.2 MB, zipped] can be found here.
What do you think of the download? Do you like the functionality? Have you spotted the spelling mistake? Share your comments below…