60 Seconds Interview: Neil Kirby

Neil Kirby is EPR pharmacist at Hope Hospital, Salford. Salford introduced its electronic patient record (EPR) as a pilot scheme in 1999. Six years on, there are some 3,500 users of the system who can access patient records – under strict security measures – from 2,500 workstations across the Salford health community. Here, we get an insight into the man behind the counter.

What’s the first thing you do when you get into the office?

Complete E-health Insider questionnaire!

Your favourite gadget at the moment?

I’m not into gadgets but I’ve recently bought a Creative Vision MP3 player, which is fabulous.

What’s the best thing about your job?

Ability to make genuine impact on patient care via our EPR.

Favourite book/song?

Songs: Visions Of Johanna (Bob Dylan), Honky Tonk Women (Rolling Stones), So What (Miles Davis), Solid Air (John Martyn), Breathless (Nick Cave)

Book: Ventriloquism For Dummies

Pet hate?

Litter

Favourite website?

E-Health Insider, of course!

What annoys you?

The kids leaving their stuff lying around the house.

In a perfect world, what would you be doing?

Watching the tide come in (or go out) on the Northumberland coast.

What’s caught your eye recently?

Speakers for my MP3 player.

e-Health innovation that interests you at the moment?

The innovation we need is a way to sensibly identify what we (and patients) really want from EPR and how to provide this in a consistent and manageable manner. We may also have to accept that local development is the way forward.

Read EHI? We want to get to know you! If you work in NHS IT and would be happy to take part in a 60 second interview contact E-Health Insider reporter Joe Fernandez on: joe@e-health-media.com Tel. 0208 8715266