EHI's industry news roundup 11.04.08

E-Health Insider's industry news round up for the week ending 11 April 2008 featuring supplier news, acquisitions, events and awards.

Supplier news

SRC preferred supplier of East Midlands SHA

SRC, specialists in healthcare digital dictation and speech recognition solutions, has been awarded preferred supplier status for the provision of digital dictation and speech recognition solutions across the East Midlands Strategic Health Authority. The award enables all NHS Trusts across Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire County & Rutland and Northamptonshire to contract with SRC for the provision of cost effective digital dictation and speech recognition solutions without the need to carry out their own time consuming and costly tendering process.

NHSmail endorsed by CSP

NHSmail,  the secure email and directory service for NHS staff in England and Scotland, has been endorsed by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). Liz Cavan, chair of council said: "The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is pleased to endorse NHSmail for the secure exchange of clinical information between NHSmail users."

JAOtech installs entertainment units in Sheffield Children’s

JAOtech has installed its Smart Terminals at over 21 bedsides in Sheffield Children’s Hospital to provide free entertainment, communication and education to patients, and enable medical staff instant access to information, with a 14 month timetable to roll out installation of over 100 further units. The 17-inch Obie Smart Terminals from JAOtech are specifically designed for the hygienic and noise-free environment of a hospital ward and able to deliver a comprehensive range of free services to the patients’ bedside. They support the standard offerings of entertainment, telephony, computing facilities and an education service. The terminals will also allow medical staff to access up-to-date private medical records, x-rays and scans at the bedside.

New strategy board formed to promote biotechnology

A new strategy board, tasked with promoting the UK’s expertise in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, has been announced by Trade and Investment Minister Lord Digby Jones. Chaired by Chris Brinsmead, president of AstraZeneca UK, the UK LifeScience Marketing Strategy Implementation Board is an integral part of a new strategy unveiled by Lord Digby Jones last November.

Acquisitions

Manpower Software acquire Key IT Systems

Manpower Software, has announced the acquisition of Key IT Systems, specialists in the provision of software solutions for the management of bank and temporary staff in the NHS. The acquisition of Key IT enables Manpower Software to offer a fully integrated e-Rostering and bank solution to Key IT’s customers, thus extending Manpower Software’s customer base by over 90 additional NHS trusts.

Events

SNOMED CT Conference – Earls Court, London – 10 – 11 June

Registration is now open for the third annual Implementing SNOMED CT Conference at Earls Court Exhibition Centre (Thames Room) on Tues-Wed 10-11 June 2008.See the provisional programme at www.abies.co.uk.

Awards

Atos Healthcare awarded by Nursing Times

Atos Healthcare, has announced it was named ‘Most Improved Independent Employer 2008’ as drawn from The Nursing Times Top 100 list of the best UK healthcare organisations.

Entries open for BT e-Health Insider Awards 2008

New categories in the BT e-Health Insider Awards 2008 launched today will reward excellent work by healthcare information and communications technology professionals in vital areas such as patient safety, security and wireless working. Details of the awards and online entry forms are at: www.ehealthawards.com.