If you've any medical treatment recently, then you can't hep but have noticed that there is more technology being used to improve the services offered for patients.
It's all part of the Connecting For Health programme, and is making a big difference to all concerned.
Here's what you need to know.
1.
The Choose and Book system allows patients a choice of times and medical centres for their treatments.
This makes it much more convenient for patients, and reduces the number of patients who fail to attend appointments.
2.
The Personal Demographic Service is being introduced to replace the many NHS databases that currently store patient demographics details.
This database won't store sensitive or medical records, and will be up to date and any changes will be seen immediately.
This means that information is available quicker, and provides better communication and there's less risk of duplication.
3.
There are over 1.
3 million prescriptions issued every working day, and this figure is rising by around 5% per year.
This involves a lot of paperwork, and writing.
The Electronic Prescription Service provides a quicker and more accurate way of dispensing medicine, and gives patients a choice of pharmacy to collect their prescription from.
, improve service for all 4.
NHS staff in similar roles around the country can share their experiences and knowledge, quickly and easily, using eSpace.
This is a knowledgebase type system that can be searched to quickly find a solution, without needing to carry out further research, or wait for results.
5.
The Essential IT Skills, EITS, programme provides training so that NHS staff have the IT skills they need.
The training course and qualifications are recognised by the British Computer Society, and will help staff to more effective, and provide quicker and better patient care.
6.
The GP2GP Programme is for transferring patient medical records to a new doctor.
This is much quicker and more accurate than waiting for paper based medical records to arrive.
The new doctor will needs the patient's full medical history before they are seen for the first time, and it will also highlight any issues such as allergies, or current medication.
7.
Health Informatics is the collection of data and information, using knowledge, skills and tools, to support healthcare and promote health.
This helps to ensure that records are accurate, and that IT as used effectively to provide better patient care.
8.
NHSmail is the email system for NHS staff.
It's secure, so can be used to share patient information, and provides a single email address that can be transferred to different jobs or departments.
In addition it offers calendar, fax and SMS facilities, as well as the contact details for all the 1m plus NHS staff.
9.
The Picture Archiving and Communicating System, PACS, is the electronic storage of images such as X rays and ultrasounds.
These images can be shared quickly and easily between hospitals or other healthcare professionals who need to see them.
Because they are electronic, these images can be duplicated instantly, won't be lost, and save on storage space and resources, and offers a better patient experience.
10.
Electronic Health records mean an end to paper based medical records, and so patient information can be updated immediately, and will be accurate.
In addition, like PACS, there will be less storage resources required for these electronic patient records.
Now you know more about Connecting for Health, and how it's improving the NHS, you're sure to see it in action the next time you need medical attention.
It's all part of the Connecting For Health programme, and is making a big difference to all concerned.
Here's what you need to know.
1.
The Choose and Book system allows patients a choice of times and medical centres for their treatments.
This makes it much more convenient for patients, and reduces the number of patients who fail to attend appointments.
2.
The Personal Demographic Service is being introduced to replace the many NHS databases that currently store patient demographics details.
This database won't store sensitive or medical records, and will be up to date and any changes will be seen immediately.
This means that information is available quicker, and provides better communication and there's less risk of duplication.
3.
There are over 1.
3 million prescriptions issued every working day, and this figure is rising by around 5% per year.
This involves a lot of paperwork, and writing.
The Electronic Prescription Service provides a quicker and more accurate way of dispensing medicine, and gives patients a choice of pharmacy to collect their prescription from.
, improve service for all 4.
NHS staff in similar roles around the country can share their experiences and knowledge, quickly and easily, using eSpace.
This is a knowledgebase type system that can be searched to quickly find a solution, without needing to carry out further research, or wait for results.
5.
The Essential IT Skills, EITS, programme provides training so that NHS staff have the IT skills they need.
The training course and qualifications are recognised by the British Computer Society, and will help staff to more effective, and provide quicker and better patient care.
6.
The GP2GP Programme is for transferring patient medical records to a new doctor.
This is much quicker and more accurate than waiting for paper based medical records to arrive.
The new doctor will needs the patient's full medical history before they are seen for the first time, and it will also highlight any issues such as allergies, or current medication.
7.
Health Informatics is the collection of data and information, using knowledge, skills and tools, to support healthcare and promote health.
This helps to ensure that records are accurate, and that IT as used effectively to provide better patient care.
8.
NHSmail is the email system for NHS staff.
It's secure, so can be used to share patient information, and provides a single email address that can be transferred to different jobs or departments.
In addition it offers calendar, fax and SMS facilities, as well as the contact details for all the 1m plus NHS staff.
9.
The Picture Archiving and Communicating System, PACS, is the electronic storage of images such as X rays and ultrasounds.
These images can be shared quickly and easily between hospitals or other healthcare professionals who need to see them.
Because they are electronic, these images can be duplicated instantly, won't be lost, and save on storage space and resources, and offers a better patient experience.
10.
Electronic Health records mean an end to paper based medical records, and so patient information can be updated immediately, and will be accurate.
In addition, like PACS, there will be less storage resources required for these electronic patient records.
Now you know more about Connecting for Health, and how it's improving the NHS, you're sure to see it in action the next time you need medical attention.
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