Doctors critical of NPfIT costs, survey finds
Doctors believe the National Programme for IT (NPfIT) could provide valuable benefits to clinical care in the long term, but they are increasingly critical of its costs and the way it is being implemented, according to a survey released today. The independent survey, commissioned by E-Health Insider, bjhc&im, Computer Weekly, Financial Times, Guardian, GP and […]
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Whole NHS budget under the microscope
Reports today suggest that the National Programme for IT (NPfIT) will be included in a review of all health budgets to ensure that every aspect of central spending is giving value for money. There are assurances, however, that existing commitments will be honoured. The health secretary, Patricia Hewitt, confirmed the review during an interview on […]
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In the vault
E-Health Insider talks to Gwyn Thomas, director of Welsh healthcare IT programme Informing Healthcare, about how his emphasis is on changing processes, not technology.
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Scotland opts for national electronic health records
The Scottish Executive has announced that they are to follow the recommendations of the Kerr Report and implement a national system of electronic health records, together with telecare throughout the country. The Executive’s plans for modernising NHS Scotland, entitled ‘Delivering for Health’ details plans for the implementation of a national IT system, including the plans for […]
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Results not excuses, Aussie guru tells NHS IT leaders
An international expert in project management has told senior NHS IT staff that internal politics and a ‘silo mentality’ are to blame for organisations’ poor project delivery, and called for a new focus on delivering ‘results, not excuses’ in order to reverse the trend. Alan Patching, billed modestly on his personal website www.alanpatching.com, as an […]
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NHS telecoms fraud survey taken on by consultancy
An international consultancy company has stepped in to fill what it says is a hole in NHS telecommunications fraud prevention services created since the wind-up of the NHS Information Authority (NHSIA). Steve Mason, senior consultant at Vega, previously worked in telecoms fraud prevention at the NHSIA before it was disbanded in April. After most of the NHSIA’s responsibilities […]
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The apprentice
John Aird, director of IM&T at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL), describes a thriving grow-your-own scheme for IT staff.
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E-health and the EU
The UK’s presidency of the EU promises to be a significant one for e-health, Lyn Whitfield reports.
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Nurses happier using telecare, says international survey
Many nurses who specialise in telecare are experiencing greater job satisfaction than those who do not, according to the results of a major international survey into the use of IT in nursing. 59% of ‘telenurses’ claimed that they are happier caring for patients over video, e-mail or phone connections than in person. Reasons cited by nurses […]
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Chair of NHS Institute for Innovation named
Dame Yve Buckland has been named as the first chair of the new NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement by health minister, Jane Kennedy. Dame Yve said: "I am thrilled to be appointed to this role; the NHS Institute is an exciting venture which will help to provide an ambitious focus for new ideas, technologies and practices to […]
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