Fingers point the way forward for patient ID
A group of practices that won an IT innovations award have begun to install a fingerprint identification system that allows patients access to their own records. The Staffa Health Centre, Tibshelf, Derbyshire, became the first of the award-winning practices to install the Patient Electronic Records Systems (PAERS) last week. The system uses touch screen kiosk […]
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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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New Darlington walk-in centre uses EHR
A new nurse-led walk-in centre to treat minor ailments in the North-East of England is to be based around sharable electronic patient records. The centre, at Doctor Piper House, Darlington, County Durham, incorporates the Phoenix Partnership’s SystmOne Emergency software to store, process and transfer patient data. “The essential part of a walk-in centres is that […]
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Home office
The Department of Health’s new deal with Microsoft is saving hundreds of pounds for NHS staff who want to use Microsoft on their home computers, finds Fiona Barr.
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£95m package to boost e-booking uptake
Primary care trusts (PCTs) that offer a choice of hospital treatment to non-emergency patients through the electronic ‘choose and book’ system will be rewarded under a new £95m scheme announced today by health secretary, John Reid. A new package of funds is designed to speed up the implementation of the government’s commitment that by 31 […]
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Joining forces
David Grigsby of LiquidLogic puts the case for the importance of IT in multi-agency working, and what problems must be overcome for successful implementation.
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First NPfIT SAP system uses data spine
Software that operates using a working version of the data spine has been installed by Accenture under the NPfIT in trusts in Newcastle and Northumberland to support the Single Assessment Process (SAP) for older people. SAP was introduced under the National Service Framework for older people in 2001 to increase the share of data between […]
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Geordie GUM website may spare patients’ blushes
Newcastle PCT have launched a website for their genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic with the help of the local rugby team and a cartoon mascot, Blush. The site, which contains a self-diagnosis section, a step-by-step guide to visiting the clinic and an A-Z of infections, was opened by Stuart Grimes and Joe Shaw from the Newcastle Falcons. “Staff […]
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Brent goes live with Graphnet drug action team solution
Brent Primary Care Trust, north west London, has gone live with a new system developed by Graphnet to enable drug action teams (DATs) to meet reporting targets. DATs, across the UK are responsible for drug strategies for adults and they have report to the National Treatment Agency to obtain funding. The new system, developed by […]
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Mapping software could offer way out of data maze
A software package that uses geocoding to display patient and clinican data on Ordnance Survey maps has been installed in Harrow PCT, with the hope that it will allow clearer display of resource allocation and healthcare trends across the area. Matthew Spencer, marketing manager at manufacturer Mapinfo, told EHI about what benefits the program, MapInfo Health […]
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