New information authority seeks chief exec
The new Health and Social Care Information Centre, which is due to take over the information management responsibilities of the NHS Information Authority (NHSIA), has started recruiting for a chief executive. The advert, placed in Sunday’s Observer, is asking for somebody with “credibility and gravitas”, “evidence of high intellectual ability” and a person who is […]
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Geordie GUM website may spare patients’ blushes
Newcastle PCT have launched a website for their genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic with the help of the local rugby team and a cartoon mascot, Blush. The site, which contains a self-diagnosis section, a step-by-step guide to visiting the clinic and an A-Z of infections, was opened by Stuart Grimes and Joe Shaw from the Newcastle Falcons. “Staff […]
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Counter fraud staff to gain right to access NHS records
Health Minister, Lord Warner today unveiled new powers that will provide NHS counter fraud staff with the power to demand access to NHS information, including patient records, held on paper or computer. Failure to comply would become a prosecutable offence. The proposed powers, which will require legislation, include a new right for the NHS Counter […]
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New NHSU web tool assesses informatics skills
The NHS University (NHSU) has unveiled a new online personal information management survey designed to assess training needs in informatics for NHS staff. The tool, which is released today at the NHS Alliance Conference in Bournemouth, has been developed with the aid of the NHSIA, and is designed to ‘close the gaps’ in knowledge about processing and handling information […]
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Siemens wins Frost & Sullivan healthcare IT award
Frost & Sullivan have given this year’s Healthcare Information Technology Company of the Year Award to Siemens Medical Solutions, which is judged under criteria including technological innovation, market growth and penetration and customer service. The award was conferred after Frost & Sullivan analysed and researched the European healthcare IT market for the company most deserving […]
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Great Ormond Street selects Tomcat for cardiac system
Belfast-based Tomcat Clinical Systems, the supplier of specialist Cardiac Information Systems has signed a contract with London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children to supply a paediatric Cardiac Information System. The TOMCAT system manages the information relating to all aspects of a patient’s cardiac treatment and is now in use in hospitals across the UK […]
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DR scanner improves radiology productivity by 60%
The installation of a new digital radiography (DR) system in Edith Cavell Hospital, Cambridgeshire, has boosted productivity in the radiology department by 60%, according to a survey undertaken internally by the hospital. “Examinations can be completed in as little as thirty seconds, which is a real benefit for patients, and we are seeing dramatic reductions […]
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Too much information bad for your health, study shows
A study published by University College London has found that people suffering from chronic illnesses such as diabetes or asthma who use software or the internet to get information can actually end up damaging their own health. The review, which appears in the latest issue of the Cochrane Collaboration, found that in one instance, diabetics […]
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Survey finds IT consultation inadequate or non-existent
A new survey of doctors’ views of the National Programme for IT (NPfIT) shows 92% of medics questioned felt that personal consultation with them had been inadequate or non-existent. The survey by Medix, conducted for the BBC, asked a sample of just over 500 doctors for their views of consultation about the programme and tested their […]
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McKesson launches digital medical photograph solution
McKesson today announced the launch of its PhotoManager, software designed to allow clinical staff to access digital medical photographs of their patients at workstations in their clinic or ward, using a web browser. The company says that the solution integrates with electronic records, and will ultimately be a seamless interface with any clinical databases. Jerry Flynn, […]
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