<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"></head><body><div><br></div><div style="font-size:100%;color:#000000"><!-- originalMessage --><div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: Chris Bell via GLLUG <gllug@mailman.lug.org.uk> </div><div>Date: 24/06/2018 11:48 (GMT+01:00) </div><div>To: The mailing list for the Greater London Linux User Group <gllug@mailman.lug.org.uk> </div><div>Cc: Chris Bell <chrisbell@chrisbell.org.uk> </div><div>Subject: Re: [GLLUG] IT for the NHS and General Practices </div><div><br></div></div>On Saturday, 23 June 2018 21:40:51 BST Alistair Mann via GLLUG wrote:<br>> The "Hundred Flowers" approach* you describe may in fact be the least<br>> worst alternative as it would naturally mean more successful<br>> implementations are visible from the less successful.<br>> <br>> The problem starts IMHO in defining what IT is to record, and that can<br>> be as simple as a name. For example Argos does not accept my name as<br>> "Al" because it's too short (3 character lower limit dontchaknow.)<br>> Proper database normalisation would see the same record used to describe<br>> the landline number for myself and my missus such that if my landline<br>> number changes either it changes for her too, or at least a query is<br>> raised to her through some other avenue. If we have no formal handling<br>> of names and telephone numbers 67 years after the Lyons Electronic<br>> Office, realistically I don't think that a singular common standard or<br>> framework is desirable, much less possible!<br>> <br>> * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hundred_Flowers_Campaign<br>> <br><br>That is exactly the kind of skeleton framework that I would expect to see, <br>rather than every individual NHS local provisioning area cooking up something <br>for themselves so that there is nothing in common. It might require <br>individuals, who understand what is required, to collaborate on designing a <br>new overall specification, even if it must be done outside of the current NHS <br>system, so that it is at least available if and when the current system falls <br>over. Many NHS facilities are provided by groups linked to universities, (I am <br>still alive thanks to Imperial College facilities), so could they make a <br>start?<br><br><br>-- <br>Chris Bell<br>Website http://chrisbell.org.uk<br><br>-- <br>GLLUG mailing list<br>GLLUG@mailman.lug.org.uk<br>https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/gllug<div><br></div><div>Chris </div><div><br></div><div>I'm still here <i>despite </i>the NHS computer systems at Papworth Hospital! </div><div><br></div><div>The lack of any basic understanding of the requirements of even a basic database in the NHS has made them susceptible to any snake-oil salesmen that see easy pickings!</div><div><br></div><div>There's nothing that we can do about it - any explanation or suggestion falls on deaf ears.</div><div><br></div><div>Chris</div></body></html>