MapInfo, a provider of location intelligence solutions, has announced the launch of the latest version of its mapping application for the UK health sector.

The software is said to provide NHS managers and analysts with a suite of tools for analysing location related information, enabling them to fully benefit from the digital map data now available to them under the recent Ordnance Survey pilot NHS agreement.

According to MapInfo its HealthPro2 software enables NHS managers in PCTs and NHS trusts to accurately assess patients’ access to health service provision and ensure that appropriate services are made available for those who need them

The system allows health professionals to view geographic locational information instantaneously so that trends and patterns can be recognised and acted upon quickly.

Further benefits are said to include the ability to optimise routing for ambulance services and health visitors and being able to provide centrally managed access to shared geographic information.

HealthPro2 is available immediately and provides NHS organisations in England with a quick start package for harnessing the digital map data now available under the Ordnance Survey agreement. For existing MapInfo users HealthPro2 provides additional options for more advanced analysis and spatial data management.

Chris Bolam, public sector product manager, MapInfo, EMEA said, "Location is the common factor that pulls health and community data together and with ever challenging modernisation targets and the need to match resources with growing demand, mapping and geographic analysis are increasingly providing the location intelligence required to interpret health data, tackle health inequalities and deliver accessible services where and when they are needed."

MapInfo is hosting a series of seminars for NHS professionals entitled, Geographic Based Analysis for the Health Sector. These will be held in Birmingham on 9 March, Sheffield on 14 March and London on 15 March.