E-Health Insider’s industry news round up for the week ending 9 November, featuring supplier news, events, product launches, appointments and acquisitions.

Supplier News

Humber Mental Health streamlines IT services

Humber Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust has selected Supportworks ITSM from Hornbill Systems for use by its centralised service desk. The support desk has 18 staff using Supportworks ITSM to log, track and resolve calls from over 6500 users and 3500 devices across Hull Teaching PCT, East Riding of Yorkshire PCT and the Humber Mental Health Trust.

Events

E-Health Insider’s Healthcare IT Careers Forum – 30 November 07

Healthcare IT specialists and IT professionals considering a move into the health sector will have an unrivalled opportunity to meet prospective employers at the Healthcare IT Careers Forum, organised by E-Health Insider. The forum will be held on 30 November 2007 from 10am to 7pm at the Hotel Russell, Russell Square, London WC1B 5BE. Register free at http://www.healthcareersforum.com/.

Product Launches

New virtual PA service launched for private practitioners

A professional telephone answering company called MyRuby www.myruby.co.uk has been launched to offer private practitioners a “virtual PA” service. Designed to provide business owners with call answering and online administration support without the cost or hassle of taking on a full-time employee, MyRuby has been designed to target busy practitioners looking to grow their business.

Appointments

Cegedim RX appoint new product managers

Cegedim Rx has appointed two new product managers, who will help to ensure that Cegedim Rx products and services, aim to be the most innovative in the industry and to serve the increasing demanding profession of pharmacy. Jonathan Padua has been appointed to manage and develop the associated product portfolios in corporate systems and Angela Stevens has also joined Cegedim Rx as product manager for Nexphase, Pharmacy Manager, Message Dynamics and N3.

Acquisitions

CSC strengthens healthcare operations with takeover of First Consulting Group

Computer Sciences Corporation has strengthened its healthcare operations with the acquisition of California-based First Consulting Group for $365m. The transaction is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval and is expected to be completed in early 2008.