Revised NCRS proposals allow for multiple summaries
The concept of a single summary record on the spine is to be replaced by a system that will allow several separate summaries to co-exist, according to revamped proposals on the content of the NHS Care Records Service (NCRS). Patients will also be able to opt out of having a summary care record of any […]
News
GP systems market shake-out predicted by Granger
The numbers of GP system suppliers and local pharmacies could be reduced within five years as the NHS IT programme transforms their markets, Richard Granger, chief executive of NHS Connecting for Health, has predicted. Granger described the primary care systems market as "immature" and based on a business model unlikely to be sustainable. He said: "I don’t […]
News
National record content outlined by CfH
Information on mental health, sexual health and infections should be excluded from the initial summary record on the spine, Connecting for Health (CfH) clinical leads have recommended. The proposal is included in a major discussion document and marks a significant change in emphasis on plans for the NHS Care Record Service (NCRS). It follows continued and […]
News
XML Special Focus: Unblocking Beds
Bed blocking is an issue faced by every acute hospital. At Queen Alexandra Hospital in the Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, audit figures revealed that over 40% of beds were occupied by non-acute patients and that only 27% of the hospital’s occupied bed days were used for dealing with essential acute medical treatment. To address the […]
News
XML Special Focus: e-Booking for GP Special Interest Clinics
Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust (TPCT) faced the common problem of long waiting times for hospital dermatology appointments, but also realised it had an asset in the shape of three local GPs with particular expertise in the specialty. Head of IM&T, Dave Shovlin takes up the story: “The GPs, together with the lead for Dermatology […]
News
First Anniversary for National IT Programme
Birthday greetings to the NHS National IT Programme! It’s 12 months since a new centrally-driven plan for transforming the NHS through IT was announced at Healthcare Computing 2002. So what illumination can we expect at this year’s event in Harrogate? Word is that it may well be a lot less than people had hoped. The […]
News