TPP partners with Voice Connect
GP system supplier TPP has announced a partnership with communications firm Voice Connect to enable GP practices using TPP’s SystmOne to offer an automated appointments system. Voice Connect’s Patient Partner means that patients can phone their surgery 24 hours a day to book, check or cancel appointments. The company said more than 275 surgeries have […]
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CfH stripped of key roles and reorganised
In a major shake-up of health service IT, key leadership roles are to be moved directly to the Department of Health.
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SHAs take on Choose and Book
Strategic health authorities are to be given responsibility for sorting out technical problems with Choose and Book. NHS Connecting for Health told EHI Primary Care that it is devolving responsibility for technical assistance for Choose and Book to SHAs in 2009-10. A spokesperson said: “It is now considered an appropriate time – and a positive […]
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Kent GP-led centres pick Adastra
Two GP-led health centres in Kent have chosen software from out-of-hours provider Adastra as their patient management system. The centres in Medway and Swale, run by London-based Dulwich Medical Centre, will use the software to support their seven day a week service, offering scheduled and unscheduled appointments to both registered and unregistered patients. Dulwich Medical […]
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Little local difficulties with C+B
Health minister Ben Bradshaw has told MPs that local implementation issues are at the root of most complaints about Choose and Book. Bradshaw told a House of Commons debate about the electronic booking system that useage was growing, with 57% of bookings made through Choose and Book in January and more than 30,000 bookings made […]
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Choose and Book makes variable impact
GPs and consultants are still struggling to make Choose and Book work as intended, according to new research carried out by the British Medical Association. Problems with system reliability, slot availability and the time involved in making or reviewing an appointment are all highlighted in the association’s latest report, Choose and Book – learning lessons […]
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NHS Direct’s 68 revenue sharing numbers
NHS Direct has almost 70 revenue-sharing telephone lines in addition to the 0845 number for its health advice line, a Freedom of Information Act request has revealed. David Hickson, a campaigner against use of revenue-sharing numbers, submitted an FoI request in October and has received a list of 68 0845 numbers used by NHS Direct, […]
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Its name is RiO
The latest column from NHS Connecting for Health outlines the benefits of the RiO electronic care records system to London.
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Choice figures stick again
The percentage of people who recall being offered a choice of hospital remains at just one under in two patients, according to the latest National Choice Survey. The Department of Health’s July survey of 93,000 patients shows that 46% remembered being offered a choice of hospital. Provisional findings for September show that 46% of patients recalled […]
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Five priorities for primary care IT
Grassroots GP Dr Neil Paul outlines the five priorities for NHS IT that have been identified in his area.
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