CGI wins MoD e-health record contract
IT and business process services firm CGI has been selected by the Ministry of Defence to provide an integrated electronic health record (iEHR) for the UK Defence Medical Services. It has won the Intermolar contract to support the Defence Medical Information Capability Programme for three years with an option to extend.
It will provide an iERH system for approximately 400 sites worldwide with more than 2.500 users logged in at any time. The system will hold some 600,000 patient records supporting up to 20,000 consultations per day.
The system is based on the EMIS PCS application, and will be delivered from CGI’s secured hositing facilities in the UK and managed from its service desk in Wales.
NHS SBS launches e-prescribing framework
NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has set up a procurement framework for organisations to obtain systems for prescribing medication.
Named the Medicines Management Prescribing Decision Support Systems Framework, it has been created after five clinical commissioning groups asked NHS SBS to help them approach the market for a more competitive service. Each of these has now secured lower prices and new terms and conditions from their chosen supplier, providing an estimated saving on software licences of £60,000 per year.
The framework covers OptimiseRx, supplied by First Databank Europe, and ScriptSwitch, supplied by Optum Health Solutions, without the need to go through OJEU procurement rules.
Iain Patterson rejoins GDS
Iain Patterson (pictured) has been appointed director of common technology services at the Government Digital Service, following the completion of his secondment as chief technology officer at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.
He will be responsible for enabling the providing of IT for civil servants, with an emphasis on increased security, more joined up working across government, and implementing changes faster and at lower cost.
Stephen Foreshew-Cain, executive director of GDS, said: “As our leadership team grows, it’s great to have people with as much expertise and experience as Iain continuing to help us transform government.”
Kirklees launches benefits and work service
Kirklees Council has launched a new online benefits and employment service on named BetterOff Kirklees. www.betteroffkirklees.org.uk.
It provides help for users in discovering which benefits they are entitled to, enables them to apply online and to appeal against decisions. It also includes advice on job hunting, such as creating a CV and preparing for an interview, and can be used to search for jobs locally and regionally.
Councillor Graham Turner, cabinet member for resources said: “We remain totally committed to providing a personalised advice service to ensure that residents claim what they are entitled to and are work-ready where possible. BetterOff Kirklees allows us to do this, by making the most of our reducing resources whilst freeing up our benefit advisers to deal with the more complex cases we receive.”
In May, LookingLocal, which is owned by the council, announced the development of a mobile BetterOff app which is being offered to other local authorities.
BCS publishes personal data consultation
BCS – The Chartered Institute for IT has published a consultation paper on three principles for the sue of personal data: safety, integration and relationships. The move is part of its Personal Data Challenge, which is aimed at developing ways of using the data for society’s good.
Director of policy David Evans said: “We want common currency; technical and legal systems to unlock the power and utility we know is possible when personal data is aggregated around individuals and organisations. We believe that by bringing together people to solve this issue we can collectively increase public confidence in how personal data is used.”
The launch has come with the publication of a survey, conducted by consultancy Ctrl-Shift, showing that 64% of adults are not happy with the way companies collect and use data about them, and 44% said they would use a service in which the provider would guarantee the security of their personal data, and give them control over who has access to it.
Becrypt takes Windows 10 to Official protection
Cyber security specialist Becrypt has launched a new version of its full disk encryption solution, Disk Protect v8.50, which can be used with the Windows 10 operating system and maintains approval from CESG for use with classified data up to Official level.
Two versions have been approved for data going up to Official by the information security arm of GCHQ: Disk Protect CPA and Disk Protect Baseline. In addition, Disk Protect Enhanced is suitable for data at the highest levels, including Top Secret.
Cath Hackett, vice-president of product portfolio at Becrypt, said: “Government and defence organisations have always been highly security-conscious, however, with the increase in cybercrime we are seeing more commercial organisations looking to take a more proactive stance towards protecting data. At Becrypt we are committed to providing robust security products that are transparent and provide a great user experience.”
New chief for Axelos
Abid Ismail has been appointed as chief executive officer of Axelos, the joint venture between the Cabinet Office and Capita which develops best practice methodologies for IT projects.
He has been the organisation’s chief financial officer since 2013, and replaces Peter Hepworth, who is moving to a senior role in Capita and will remain on the Axelos board.
Ismail said: “2016 is set to be another exciting year for the business. In February we will launch
ITIL Practitioner – the new qualification of the world’s most widely adopted service management framework. We will also be further developing our new Axelos Professional Development Programme, which enables professionals to develop their skills and knowledge, and our Resilia portfolio, helping organisations improve their ability to prevent and respond to cyber attacks.”
Profile targets fraud, error and debt
Fintech start-up Hello Soda has launched its big data platform Profile on the public sector market, emphasising its potential to help government tackle fraud, error and debt.
It said the shift to ‘digital by default’ has led to the emergence of significant data gaps from the use of traditional tools and methods, and that these can be used in debt recovery, suitability assessments for support services, and the verification of relationships, living status and income.
The platform can be used for identity verification, individual risk profiling and application eligibility scoring.
Image from GOV.UK, Open Government Licence v3.0
