Jeremy,

There are a myriad of different alternatives that you need to consider
for collecting and exchanging information, they will all have their pros
and cons. I would suggest that you need to look at your short, medium
and long term Information and technology requirements, before making any
decisions. You need to review your long term business model - are you
going to become a Primary Care Trust?, how integrated are you going to
become - do you want a managed solution or one directly administered by
yourselves? You will then have a better understanding of the type of
technology you will need to support your group/Trust?

If you want please contact me directly and I can take you through some
of the options - I am currently  working with a number of commissioning
groups tackling the same issues. 

Mark Treleaven
BDS Solutions
tel: 01884 33440
fax: 01884 34555
email: [log in to unmask]
Web:  http://www-bds-solutions.co.uk

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Gray,  Jeremy [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent:	19 January 1998 12:21
> To:	GP-UK
> Subject:	Computing over different Systems
> 
> Problem: We are a new commissioning group.There are 16 practices with
> 90
> 000 patients and 50 GPs. 12 practices run EMIS, the others a variety.
> We
> would like to collect referral data from all the practices and be able
> to communicate with them easily. We would like to be able to
> interrogate
> each practice for research and quality standards data. We want to be
> able to link with the NHS net soonish. Does anyone have an idea how
> this
> might be achieved. Doea a whole new system need to be commissioned or
> can we create a LAN that would run the GP bit on the side? We have
> money
> but less knowledge! Thanks JG
> 
> > ----------
> > From: 	c=gb;a=nhs;p=nhs national
> > int;dda:[log in to unmask];
> > Reply To: 	c=gb;a=nhs;p=nhs national
> > int;dda:[log in to unmask];
> > Sent: 	15 January 1998 00:43
> > To: 	c=gb;a=nhs;p=nhs national
> int;dda:[log in to unmask];
> > Subject: 	Re: computing in practice
> > 
> > Hi Declan 
> > 
> > I've just been to a Lothian GPASS users group meeting where Bob
> > Stoakes
> > demonstrated the second stage release of the new software.  It's
> > currently
> > beta testing and should be rolled out (in Scotland) this summer.
> With
> > 800
> > practices it'll take them a wee while tho !  
> > 
> > The release 1 is more for electronic comms and health board stuff
> like
> > registration but the release 2 is the actual clinical system.    You
> > get to
> > put appointments on at the front desk using windows (so much easier
> > than
> > unix) and when in consulting room you can put diagnoses and print
> > scripts
> > so much easier than before.  I'm itching to get my hands on it for
> > real. 
> > Their test system has 5000 patients on it so the timing demonstrated
> > is as
> > it might be in the surgery.   
> > 
> > Data can be ported to Exell (?spelling) or Access for analysis and
> > scripts
> > can be printed on most printers,  cut sheet scripts are coming from
> > the
> > Scottish office before the roll out so they will be usable early.
> > (Is
> > that nearer your optimum Ahmad?)
> > 
> > GPASS staff are likely to be across the water before long to
> > demonstrate it
> > in your part of the world too.    It looks as if the program is
> going
> > to
> > jump from the 1970s to the millenium with one bound !!  (Bob was not
> 
> > however wearing a skintight blue uniform with red cape and large S
> on
> > his
> > chest ;-)
> > 
> > Looking at some of your recent posts, I wonder if some of your
> > problems are
> > more with the hardware folk rather than GPASS.  In Scotland they can
> > make
> > the software available but can't legally be involved in hardware.
> > There
> > are several hardware suppliers with very variable prices and service
> > levels.    With an increase in new/replacement kit required over the
> > next
> > year or two this will be very relevant to  cash limited Health Board
> > reimbursement schedules.
> > 
> > Best wishes
> > 
> > Tom
> > PS Declaration of interest  - I got a brownie point and a sandwich
> > from
> > Astra tonight :-)
> > 


%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%