QoF results publication likely in next two months
Quality and Outcomes Framework results for every practice in England and Scotland are likely to be published on government websites within the next two months, according to the organisations responsible for coordinating the data. An official from the Health and Social Care Information Centre in England, the body that will hold all Quality and Outcomes […]
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Southampton City PCT overhauls web services
Southampton City Primary Care Trust have announced a new version of its website that it hopes will better engage both staff and the 240,000 residents in its reach. The new web portal, which is run over EasySite content management software, is the first stage of a plan to renew web services across the PCT. According to […]
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Practices make performance data available on web
Practices from four primary care organisations (PCOs) have put performance data online as part of a project to test the best way of providing information to patients. Details such as vaccination rates and percentage of patients with diabetes who have had their blood pressure checked in the last five years are included in a bar […]
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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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MHRA to let patients report side-effects online
The DH have implemented changes to the way that adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are reported and publicised, including allowing patients to report reactions by submitting electronically through a new website and making drug reaction data available online. The new forms, which are being set up at www.yellowcard.gov.uk, will allow medication users to report any ADRs they encounter, as part […]
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Flu software helps plan healthcare resources
The US-based Centre for Disease Control, part of the Department for Health and Human Services, has released free software to allow healthcare professionals to plan and estimate demand for hospitalisation and health services during an influenza pandemic. FluAid 2.0, and the accompanying spreadsheet FluSurge 1.0, is based on recent scientific studies of the effects of […]
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Record hits for NHS Direct Online over Christmas break
The DH have announced a 30% increase on hits to the NHS Direct website over the Christmas period, the busiest since the website was set up. The NHS Direct site received a total of 19,344 visitors on 27 December, and 42,589 between Christmas Day and Bank Holiday Monday. The most frequently accessed pages included those offering […]
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NHS Direct digital TV launch imminent
The DH has announced that NHS Direct Digital TV, which will provide basic information on local health services and advice on treating common illnesses through interactive TV, will be launched tomorrow at a cost of £15m. The service will also include the latest news about health issues, and an encyclopaedia of illnesses and treatments. In […]
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Better information on doctors vital, says Shipman report
The GMC needs to improve the information available online about the registration history of doctors and whether any action has been taken against them in the past, the fifth report from the Shipman Inquiry has concluded. Several of the over 100 recommendations made by the fifth report of the Shipman Inquiry relate to making it […]
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Bulletin board helps locum GPs find posts
An Oxford-based GP has set up a UK-wide website in order to help bring together locums and practice managers looking for cover, and provide information on courses and local groups. The site, www.locum-online.com, was set up by Dr Willemina Rietsema, a locum herself for five years, after she learned of problems from other locums at her local […]
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