Information society : agenda for action in the UK : evidence received after 31 March 1996 / Select Committee on Science and Technology.
- Great Britain. Parliament. House of Lords. Science and Technology Committee.
- Date:
- 1996
Licence: Open Government Licence
Credit: Information society : agenda for action in the UK : evidence received after 31 March 1996 / Select Committee on Science and Technology. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![16 April 1996] [ Continued A STRATEGY FOR INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THE NHS Information Management and Technology (IM&T) is a term which covers the use and management of information and information systems. This applies to organised systems of all forms, whether based on human endeavour, paper methods or information technology. The emerging electronic world offers enormous benefits to organisations of all types. If the NHS is to gain the most from information management and information technology for the maximum benefit of patients, the NHS as a whole must approach IM&T systematically. The NHS Executive’s Strategy for IM&T in the NHS was launched in December 1992 and aims to develop consistent information systems across the service, provide more efficient communication and processing of information and support high quality, effective and responsive healthcare. The framework at the core of the IM&T strategy—the infrastructure—sets agreed national standards and codes. It covers NHS-wide electronic networks, a new NHS number and important aspects of security and confidentiality. The work and progress to date has focused on implementing the IM&T infrastructure and promulgating the necessary standards. Much of the infrastructure will be in place during 1996. A NHS-wide networking infrastructure—called NHSnet—is currently being implemented to enable any to any connections for all organisations in the NHS, including hospitals, GPs, the NHS Executive, health authorities and so on. However, NHSnet has not been designed to be publicly accessible and will, in general, only be available to NHS users. IMPLEMENTING NHS-wIDE NETWORKING SERVICES Framework contracts have been signed with BT and Mercury to provide a wide range of voice telephony and data services. A key feature of the framework contracts is that as demand for networking facilities increases, the necessary resources ie bandwith, can be “called down”. This will provide a networking infrastructure to take the NHS into the 21st century. NHSnet is based on Private Finance Initiative (PFI) principles with BT and Mercury providing all the capital investment and sharing the risk in establishing the service. NHS-wIDE NETWORKING SERVICES AND THE INTERNET The Internet is a global collection of thousands of individual computer networks, governed by no-one and strung together by the international telephone system. Originally created as a defence application by the US Government, it was opened to universities, government departments and research organisations in the late 1970s. In 1992 private companies were allowed to offer subscriptions, and anyone with a personal computer, modem and connection through a service provider can access it. In essence the Internet provides a world-wide network infrastructure supporting electronic mail and access to a wide range of information systems and services. However, lack of security, guaranteed services levels and structured mechanisms to allow users to find information services makes the Internet unsuitable for business- critical transactions. For the NHS this would mean, for example, the exchange of personal patient records. In comparison, NHS net is exclusive to the NHS, with guaranteed service levels and appropriate security measures and procedures built-in. However, secure gateways to and from the Internet are available to allow: — Two-way interchange of electronic mail between NHS and Internet user communities. — NHS access to Internet-based systems and services, whilst preventing access by Internet users to NHS information systems. 2. What services are being provided, and should be developed/will be required, within for example the following areas—(vi) health? The business case for NHS-wide networking, approved by the Treasury, is based on the high volume “bread and butter” information flows across the NHS, such as Voice/PSTN;; electronic mail; exchange of contract information; supplies ordering; and links from GPs to Hospitals and Family Health Service Authorities. However, the networking infrastructure—NHSnet—which is currently being created for NHS use will also support more publicly exciting applications provided by Internet type facilities. This potential is creating considerable interest amongst application suppliers. The NHS Executive has received a significant number of proposals from academia and industry offering to provide the NHS with a range of services. Approaches have been made involving consortia of major companies and organisations such as Glaxo, ICL, Zeneca, the BBC, NAHAT, and BT. There is scope for PFI projects to take these forward. Potential applications available across the network include: Telemedicine: at its simplest, telemedicine can be real time video links set up to enable a GP and his or her patient to consult with a consultant in another location. More complex applications involve](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b32218631_0023.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
