QoF cash for quitters
GPs could be paid depending on the number of their patients who stop smoking as part of possible changes to the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QoF), according to the head of primary care commissioning for the Department of Health. Mark Britnell, DH director general of commissioning and system management, outlined a range of possible changes […]
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NHS Direct reports lower calls, higher web traffic
NHS Direct has reported a fall in telephone calls received, attributed to an increased usage of its website for health information and advice. Though full figures are yet to be disclosed, the service has issued initial figures showing that on a month-by-month basis, caller numbers are down approximately 7% on 2006, with around 400,000 calls […]
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NHS Choices launches Pregnancy Hub
NHS Choices has extended the ‘Live Well’ section of its website with the introduction of the ‘Pregnancy Hub’. The hub is an area of the site dedicated to helping people find out more about keeping well during pregnancy. Based on NHS accredited information, the hub provides users with information about staying healthy and fit during […]
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Patient information: how ICTs can help
Fiona Barr looks at the role information technology can play in providing greater information for patients.
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Six firms shortlisted for £80m NHS Choices contract
Six companies have reportedly been shortlisted to run the Department of Health’s NHS Choices website, following an OJEU tender process, which came to an end in December. According to HSJ magazine, the six shortlisted companies bidding for the three year, £80m contract, include the current provider Dr Foster Intelligence, the current provider, and much larger […]
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NHS Choices introduces BMI calculator
NHS Choices has launched a BMI calculator, which it describes as a new diabetes symptom checker.
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Home test websites giving misleading information
Websites selling home diagnostic tests are providing misleading and confusing information which could have serious health consequences, according to a new study. Researchers from Birmingham Women’s Hospital looked at the information provided on 168 websites marketing home diagnostic tests for conditions such as hepatitis C, HIV and prostate cancer. They found that 55.9% of the […]
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Countdown to the 18 week wait
By December 2008 all non-urgent NHS patients should start their hospital treatment within 18 weeks of referral, a major challenge with IT at the heart of providing the solutions.
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System user groups launch GP choice campaign
Five GP system national user groups have launched a campaign to support GPs’ right to IT system choice. The five national groups, covering the systems supplied by EMIS, InPS, iSoft, Microtest and Healthy Software, have set up a website to promote their campaign and are writing to every GP practice in England as well as […]
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Gene analysis site launches in Europe
The 23andMe kit now available across Europe A new consumer genetic test website, 23andMe, launched in Europe this week. The service which includes Google among its backers, aims to help individuals understand their own genetic information using DNA analysis and web-based interactive tools. Customers using the £500 service receive a barcoded tube for saliva collection; they then send […]
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