Trial on satellite-assisted ambulance
A trial is about to start on satellite assistance for specially-equipped ambulances which will enable staff to send information, including X-rays, to a medical centre from the scene of an accident. The technology, to be trialled in the Italian town of Vicenza, was demonstrated at a recent meeting on the theme of Telemedicine via Satellite […]
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BMA asks for clarity on care record issues
Doctors at the British Medical Association’s Annual Representative Meeting at Llandudno have demanded that the NHS Care Records System should not be fully implemented until issues over accuracy, consent and data protection are ironed out. The motion, proposed by Dr Mary Hawking from the South Bedfordshire Division, asked that “before total dependence on joint electronic patient […]
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Radical Steps highlights serious concerns about NPfIT
The National Programme for IT is still failing to communicate what it will deliver, when it will deliver, and what the cost to local NHS organisations will be. In addition, few staff fully understand what the claimed clinical or business benefits of new systems procured will be, and clinical consultation on systems specifications remains limited. […]
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Health insurance smart card scheme starts in EU
European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) are being formally introduced today in 13 EU countries, including Belgium, Ireland, Spain, Estonia and Slovenia. The cards, which will eventually replace paper-based reciprocal health agreement forms such as the E111 and E128, contain a chip holding information that allows connection to a Health Insurance Data Server based in the […]
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Report challenges hospital mobile ban
A new report on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and electromagnetic interference (EMI) in healthcare facilities challenges the wisdom of blanket prohibitions on mobile phones and other wireless devices in hospitals, writes Neil Versel from the annual Toward an Electronic Patient Record (TEPR) conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. According to a white paper issued by the US-based Mobile […]
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Minister upbeat on ID card benefits for NHS
Health minister, John Hutton, says ID cards will help NHS staff check whether patients are eligible to receive treatment and deter people who abuse the UK’s healthcare resources. Hutton gave evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee this week as controversy flared around the government’s plans to speed up the introduction of ID cards. […]
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Leaked report criticises NPfIT implementation
A leaked report by the National Programme for IT’s former chief clinical adviser has exposed fault lines at the highest levels of the leadership of the national programme and serious disagreements about the way the programme is being implemented and its lack of engagement with clinicians. According to a report in today’s Financial Times, in […]
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Kodak implements PACS at Chesterfield in 11 weeks
Kodak Health Imaging has announced that it has successfully installed an end-to-end digital image management solution, comprising capture, print, distribution, storage and service solutions in just 11 weeks. In February Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Royal Hospital NHS Trust awarded Kodak a contract to install an integrated image and information management solution at Chesterfield Royal Hospital […]
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UN calls for action on internet drugs
The UN agency responsible for controlling international narcotics has called on Governments to do more to crack down on the illicit trade in controlled drugs over the internet. The International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) reports that there is an increase in cyber trafficking of pharmaceutical products containing internationally controlled substances. Its annual report says internet […]
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EHR roll-out underway across Wirral
NHS organisations on the Wirral have announced plans to push ahead with the roll-out of an ambitious health community-wide electronic health record (EHR) programme at least two years ahead of the national NHS Care Records Service. The new EHR project builds on the solid foundations laid by NHS organisations in the Wirral, which have been […]
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