HEFCE strategy for e-learning

HEFCE : Publications : 2005 : 2005/12 - HEFCE strategy for e-learning

The Higher Education Funding Councilo for England (HEFCE) has published it's 10 year strategy for e-learning.

On a first quick scan it touches on flexibility, sustainability, and personal learning environments - I will read more later & hopefully give a more coherent comment. In the meantime you could read the piece on this on the Auricle Blog

HC2005 - NPfIT is listening

It was announced today, by the BCS Health Informatics Forum, that the NHS National Programme for IT (NPfIT) "Clinical Leeds" will be meeting delegates at the HC2005 conference.

It is to be hoped that this increased openness by the National Programme, will reflect a desire to actively engage with the staff who are going to needs to use the products and services they introduce.

"The BCS HIF which organises the HC2005 Conference on March 21st to 23rd at Harrogate is delighted that the National Programme has suggested we have two sessions at which the new Clinical Leads will be available to meet delegates. This "meet the Clinical Leads" session will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday alongside the rest of the conference programme. www.bcshic.org It is an excellent sign of the desire by NPfIT to communicate with health service workers and to listen to their views. BCS HIF supports this openness and is very pleased to be able to help in this process. The clinical leads will also be a part of the Closing session in which Alan Burns will be talking."

I wonder if a minister will be added to the speakers list, if an election is announced during the conference?

Reactive to Adaptive: Transforming Hospitals with Digital Technology

Reactive to Adaptive: Transforming Hospitals with Digital Technology

This report from Price Waterhouse Coopers follows a study at the all-digital Indiana Heart Hospital, which opened in 2002, and found that the hospital had 85% fewer medication errors during its first year of operation than other cardiac facilities in the health system. It also experienced 65% fewer denials and delays from payers and a 45% reduction in medical transcription and dictation costs.

The report also found that digital hospitals had a shorter average length of
stay and a higher increase in operating revenues than national average
hospitals. Also, while physicians were once "barriers" to implementing
clinical information systems, more physicians, particularly those who are
younger, are beginning to support technology.

The full report is available in PDF

Audit could be key to success of NPfIT

Audit could be key to success

This report from Computer Weekly suggests that an independent audit of the NPfIT would be it's "most important step", highlighting both positive and negative potential outcomes of a review, but suggesting it is needed for everyone.

Telemedicine for doctor-patient interaction is vanishing in the NHS, says ESRC

Telemedicine for doctor-patient interaction is vanishing in the NHS, says ESRC :: PublicTechnology.net :: e-Government & public sector IT news from

This report from PublicTechnology.net describes a report 'Telehealthcare and the Future Patient' from the Centre for Health Services Research, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, and colleagues funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

It suggests that "Despite high expectations, telemedicine and telehealthcare systems, which enable doctors to interact with patients many miles away via video, digital imaging and electronic data transmission, have had only limited impact on the National Health Service."

The full report is available in PDF from http://www.york.ac.uk/res/iht/projects/l218252067/MayFinalRptSummaryRefs.pdf

2nd Nightingale Seminar "Using Patient Data in Nursing Education and Patient Care"

2nd Nightingale Seminar "Using Patient Data in Nursing Education and Patient Care"

This exciting seminar, to be held on 14th April 2005 at University College Winchester, will provide expert speakers and a chance to discuss current issues in nursing informatics.

Education, training and professional development in Health Informatics in the UK

UK Health Informatics Today No 46 Spring 2005

The latest edition of UK Health Informatics Today has been published (in PDF) it contains personal reflective pieces from students who have been studying on 7 of the 15 graduate programmes in health informatics available in the UK. It highlights the students views of 1) Reasons for studying; 2) Benefits of studying; 3) What students valued; and 4) Advice to would-be students.

IT input for nurses

IT input for nurses

This article from EHealth Insider reports comments by Sharon Level of the RCN, about the needs to nurses to have a greater understanding and involvement in the National Programme for IT (NPfIT) in the NHS, and offers readers the chance to comment.