Dr Glyn Hayes made BCS honorary fellow

Dr Glyn Hayes, GP, a pioneer in health informatics, has been made an Honorary Fellow by the British Computer Society (BCS).

Dr Hayes was described by the BCS as “the undisputed elder statesman of primary care informatics.” He was made an honorary fellow in recognition of his valuable contribution in shaping health care informatics, particularly in primary care.

The title of Honorary Fellow is awarded to individuals who have given outstanding service to the Society over a sustained period of time.

David Clarke, BCS chief executive says: “Glyn has led the debate over the many decades he has been involved with the BCS, helping us become one of the most foremost authorities on health informatics. Awarding him a BCS Honorary Fellowship acknowledges the tremendous voluntary contribution this high-profile member has made to help society at large to realise the benefits of information technology.”

Dr Hayes was one of the first GPs during the late 1970s to use a computer in patient consultations, and the first to try and develop a commercial system with consulting room capability.

His work on the use of computers for patient interviewing during the 1980s led him to become the founding member, chair, and later, president of the BCS Primary Health Care Specialist Group – a role he still holds.

He subsequently became chair of the BCS Health Informatics Forum. He has recently been elected as the secretary general of the European Institute for Health Records (EUROREC).

Dr Hayes also works in a voluntary capacity promoting professionalism in health informatics, he was instrumental in the development of UKCHIP.

In August of this year, Dr Hayes agreed to chair an independent review of health informatics, commissioned by Conservative shadow health minister, Stephen O’Brien. The review is due to report early in 2009.