UK: Open Systems Towards Improving NHS IT

"The four principles that underpin Open Health Informatics have all been tried and tested, in both clinical settings and in wider business and public sector environment. Yet, despite this, we continue to see a proliferation of proprietary systems and services in the NHS, which lock-in clinical data, pathways of care and working practices."

Meanwhile, the policy challenge paper aims to quantify the benefits provided by the research programme, to identify the barriers to adoption, and to update decision makers involved in appraising technology for clinical information systems.

"Whilst none of the elements of Open Health Informatics are new in their own right, there are surprisingly few systems deployed which fully embrace and gain advantage from the combination," said Professor John Chelsom, leader of the programme.

Master of Science and PhD students of the City University London will work on the Open Health Informatics programme, together with applied research in collaboration with primary and acute care providers.