Creating a master guide to NHS websites
In his latest column GP Dr Neil Paul offers some suggestions to make it easier to find NHS information.
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Less than one in twenty patients use NHS Choices
A total of 4% of patients used the NHS Choices website as a source of information to choose their hospital according to the latest Department of Health survey. The 11th National Patient Choice Survey, conducted in January this year by IPSOS Mori, found that GPs were the most popular source of information on choice of […]
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Intel launches online community for carers
Intel has launched a new social network site intended to bring together carers, nurses and patients, enabling them to share experiences and information. It is also hoped the site will help overcome the feelings of isolation many carers experience. ConnectingForCare.co.uk is described as the first online community for family carers, community and district nurses, healthcare […]
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NHS Direct diverts patients from GP and A&E
NHS Direct has published research showing that four out of ten callers are advised to self-care and that three quarters of them would otherwise have gone to their GP or A&E. The evaluation by IFF Research, which is plainly intended to address claims that NHS Direct duplicates or even adds to the work of other […]
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Caution urged on EPS release two contracts
Community pharmacists have been warned to take care when signing contracts for systems to support release two of the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS) as some pharmacies have been waiting more than two years for release one systems. The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) said it had been contacted by pharmacists who had signed up for […]
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Wiltshire PCT deploys new e-referral system
Clinicians at Wiltshire PCT are now able to electronically refer patients to local primary care services using a new system called Access to Care, provided by Quicksilva. Access to Care is described as a clinical communication hub, which allows GPs and other healthcare professionals to refer patients to local services, such as community nurses and […]
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BNF now available via NHS medical research service
The BNF (British National Formulary) and the BNF for Children are now available through the Microsoft Common User Interface. The partnership means that users of NHS Connecting for Health systems will be able to access medical information via the NHS Medical Research Service using the Microsoft Office Research facility. Users can also download a new […]
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NHS Choices publishes 18-week wait data
The Department of Health is making 18-week referral to treatment times available to patients on the NHS Choices website. Patients can use the DH’s flagship website to see the percentage of admitted patients treated within 18 weeks from referral, and the number of weeks from which half of admitted patients started treatment from their referral. […]
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Using IT to deliver on free choice
Free choice at referral takes effect this month. Fiona Barr looks at how IT will be used to deliver this flagship policy.
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New-look SearchMedica launched
SearchMedica, the medical search engine controlled by medical professionals, has been re-launched. The new version of the site features a re-designed home and results page, which according to SearchMedica makes the search engine more intuitive and easier to use. Lisa Taylor, digital director of SearchMedica UK, said: “The information needs of healthcare professionals continue to […]
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