Access to information is so important in the NHS family.
I get really cross at having to pay for ONS data. I understand that there
should be some disincentive to wasting trees - but most of it could be
downloaded from the internet on an as-needed basis, without having to pay
for it. Getting people to pay for it - when it is money flowing from one
state body to another (commercial use of ONS data must be insignificant
compared with state use) just adds an expensive layer of bureaucracy - not
to mention the costs of marketing - and impedes people from making best use
of data.
Similarly, getting the software that can painlessly add postcodes to
addresses - or complete addresses from number and postcode - uses "public"
(Post Office) data, and surely the NHS should have a "site license" for it?
Dr Peter English, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control
Surrey Communicable Disease Control Service
c/o East Surrey Health Authority
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www.fam-english.demon.co.uk
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