ID cards database could store medical records
Details of patients’ medical records could potentially appear on the ID card database if an amendment to the ID Cards Bill is passed, according to an international law firm specialising in IT. Pinsent Masons says on its website that the government has tabled an amendment which could be used to allow the ID card database to […]
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RCGP ethics committee recommends opt-in for NCRS
The ethics committee of the Royal College of GPs has recommended that patients must have the right to opt-in to the sharing of information via the NHS Care Records Service. If ratified, the decision would put the college at odds with NHS Connecting for Health’s Care Record Development Board which has adopted an opt-out model. The recommendation, which will […]
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Long-term monitoring under the skin
Advances in subcutaneous sensors that will enable patients to be monitored wirelessly are reported this week by researchers in Finland. The Wireless Research Project, part of the Academy of Finland’s Future Electronic Research Programme is developing minuscule subcutaneous sensors, which can be used to monitor, for example, the function of the heart or prosthetic joints over […]
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Renal patients get online records
Health minister Rosie Winterton is to unveil a new site for renal patients that will allow them to manage their conditions online and even view test results. The Renal Patient View (RPV) site, developed by the Renal Exchange Group, has been beta testing in a number of renal units since the end of last year. […]
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Appointment reminders mistaken for ‘scam’
A Scottish scheme using automated calling to contact patients and remind them of their hospital appointments has been withdrawn after just two days because patients thought the calls were a scam. The project in NHS Dumfries and Galloway used an automated system to phone patients the night before their appointment and leave a recorded message […]
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Virtual healthcare research institute launched
A group of research institutions and healthcare user groups has joined forces to form the Virtual Institute of Research in Healthcare Practice (VIRIHP). Members will work together via online discussion boards, email and telephone and video conferencing in addition to conventional face-to-face meetings twice a year. One of the institute’s objectives will be to “develop […]
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Granger sets November deadline for BT in London
BT has been warned by NHS IT boss Richard Granger that they must hit a 28 November deadline to switch on a Patient Administration System at Queen Mary and Sidcup NHS Trust or risk incurring penalties. The company confirmed that it is up to a year behind schedule on its £996m computer network-services contract with […]
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ETP should be fully operational by end of 2007
Electronic transmission of prescriptions (ETP) will be deployed over two releases and should be fully operational by the end of 2007, according to Connecting for Health’s newly published implementation strategy. The first release will involve paper and electronic systems working side by side and will be extended from the initial implementation sites to cover practices […]
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Ending the ‘rough ride’ for health informaticians
People who choose to work in health informatics have had a ‘fairly rough ride’ with no obvious career pathways and inappropriate remuneration, according to the chair of the first elected UK Council for Health Informatics Professionals. Speaking at a reception to celebrate the elected UKCHIP’s inaugural meeting, Dr Glyn Hayes, explained the difficulties health informaticians […]
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Cisco makes new medical connections
Cisco Systems Inc. has announced a series of new applications that are now available as part of its Medical Grade Network, providing new solutions to aid clinician communications and workflow. The new Cisco Clinical Connection Suite consists of four integrated clinical solutions – Nurse Call, Patient Monitoring, Location-Based Services and Collaborative Care – designed to […]
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