EHealth Insider doesn’t often cover the private healthcare sector, so it’s interesting that two stories should have emerged from it this week. The first is that Circle and Alert have pulled the plug on their deployment of Alert’s electronic patient record software at Circle’s flagship CircleBath.

This is potentially significant for the NHS, as the Portuguese software company was clearly hoping that the private hospital deployment would be a spring-board to trust deals; and is, indeed, already working with Blackpool and in line to work with Brighton. Meanwhile, rival private healthcare group Spire has just given a big deal to SAP.

The other big theme of the week has been IT, information and commissioning support for clinical commissioning groups. A survey by EHI Primary Care suggested that CCGs might look outside the NHS for these services; after which the Department of Health issued guidance that the British Medical Association argued would practically force them to do so.

Finally, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust became the second of the three Southern ‘greenfield’ sites to go live with Cerner Millennium when the system was switched on at one of its big hospitals last weekend, with more to go this weekend.

Circle and Alert pull plug on Bath

Circle Health and Alert have agreed to terminate a contract to deploy the first anglicised version of Alert’s electronic patient record software at the flagship CircleBath Hospital.

Oxford goes live with Cerner Millennium

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust has gone live with Cerner Millennium and is preparing for further roll-outs this weekend.

Dr Foster runs POA campaign

Dr Foster Intelligence is to launch a campaign for ‘present on admission’ flags to give a clearer picture of the care patients receive before and after hospital admission.

EHI PC survey identifies CCG IT plans

Clinical commissioning groups have identified tools to compare GP practice data and to share data with secondary care as priorities for IT investment.

BMA attacks commissioning support plans

The British Medical Association has attacked Department of Health’s plans for providing support to clinical commissioning groups for opening the door to the private sector.

Nuffield issues predictive risk guide

The Nuffield Trust has issued a guide to choosing a predictive risk model for commissioners wondering where to turn after the government stopped funding for the two models developed for the English NHS.

Derby latest McKesson trust to tender

Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has gone out to tender for a full, end-to-end refresh of its IT systems, starting with replacement of its patient administration system.

Spire dreams of SAP Patient Management

Private healthcare provider Spire is preparing for a ‘big bang’ replacement of its legacy patient administration system with SAP‘s Patient Management.

"I think no one would expect their medical records to be made public or to be appropriated by newspapers for commercial profit."

Actor Hugh Grant tells the Leveson Inquiry into media standards that details of two trips he made to hospital had been leaked.

"Engage your PCT IT department NOW - [otherwise] they’ll more than likely end up being employed by the private firm taking you on anyway - but charging 15 times more."

EHI TV: NHS Lothian goes portal

EHI TV reporter Shanna Crispin speaks with Martin Egan on NHS Lothian’s clinical portal progress.

Health minister Simon Burns is not taking well to the modern world of social-media driven campaigning, if an outburst in the House of Commons is anything to go by. In an exchange over the government’s health reforms, Burns accused an opposition MP of “simply joining the ranks of organisations like 38 Degrees by frightening people and getting them almost zombie-like to send-in emails.”

38 Degrees was set up in 2009. It’s achingly hip and trendy website explains that 38 Degrees “is the angle at which an avalanche happens” so it is devoted to creating “a community of UK citizens who act together to create an avalanche for change.” In practical terms, this means getting them to promote ideas on Facebook and sign e-petitions. The latest of these is “tell Simon Burns you’re not a zombie!” So far, 74,000 people have signed up. Which does rather support his case.