Converge and win
Convergence between medical devices and IT systems is an obvious area for adding value in healthcare. Where do we look for best results?
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Cheap as chips
The Home Computing Initiative provides savings for both employees buying PCs and their employers. Fiona Barr looks at how it works in the NHS.
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Scotland considering buying replacement GP system
The Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD) is considering the procurement of an alternative IT system for Scottish GPs. Dr Stuart Scott, chair of the BMA’s Scottish General Practitioner Committee’s IT sub-committee, told EHI Primary Care that the SEHD are discussing the possible procurement of an alternative system with the SGPC and the RCGP. He added: […]
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GPs say they are not being listened to
Lack of consultation and the threat to GPs existing computer systems are the biggest failings of the National Programme for IT and the ones that has angered most GPs, according to feedback from GPs who were questioned in the latest survey by Medix-UK. Out of the 900 doctors who took part in the survey, 191 […]
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GPs urge rethink on Choose and Book
Primary care trusts (PCTs) will fail to persuade GPs to use Choose and Book unless the system is overhauled, according to GP representatives. In the meantime, PCTs look likely to direct most of the work via Booking Management Services (BMS) with only GP enthusiasts booking appointments themselves. Dr Paul Cundy, chair of the BMA’s General […]
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Volunteers needed for NHS Office UI testing
Volunteer health professionals are needed by Microsoft and the National Programme for IT to provide user feedback on the development of the bespoke Microsoft Windows and Office for the NHS. The call for participation came at last week’s Care Record Development Board (CRDB) conference at a session devoted to exploring how the new bespoke interface for […]
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NHS electronic appraisals to be extended
An online package for filling out NHS appraisals is to be extended from GPs and consultants to more levels of staff, namely staff and associate specialists and non-consultant career grades. The NHS Appraisal Toolkit allows doctors to prepare their documentation at both pre- and post-appraisal, keep an “electronic appraisal record" and also share the signed-off […]
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Over 5,000 GP practices now ready for QMAS
The Department of Health have announced that over 5,000 out of the 9,000 GP practices in England are now able to use the Quality Management and Analysis System (QMAS), the web-based feedback system that automatically uploads practice activity data for GPs to be paid and monitored under the new General Medical Services contract. QMAS was […]
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Nurses get wireless access to cancer records
The Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology, Merseyside, has installed a wireless nursing information system that allows bedside access to patient records. The system, from IMS MAXIMS, makes a large amount of data available to nurses through computer terminals and a wireless connection. All clinicians using the system can access it through a security key and update […]
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NPfIT launches website, but turns back on talkback
The National Programme for IT has unveiled a new website, www.npfit.nhs.uk, featuring a host of detailed information about the programme and its implementation – but the “Your Say" section, where a public discussion forum had been planned, was removed shortly after it appeared. An NPfIT spokesman said the “Your Say” feature would become a key part of the website but […]
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