The British Journal of Healthcare Computing has reported on the Department of Health Informatics Directorate (DHID) publishing a report alongside IT industry trade body Intellect: A joint plan to foster a healthy and vibrant healthcare IT market.
The aim of the plan is to develop this market in England for the “benefit of NHS organisations, the IT supplier community and patients and public alike”. It is part of a series of initiatives to support the supplier community and improve local NHS decision making in acquiring new IT systems.
Several key initiatives have been identified as part of the joint plan, the most prominent of which is the long-awaited information strategy for the NHS. Other key initiatives include the Informed Client, which aims to educate NHS management and healthcare professionals about the benefits of IT so there is a “pull” for technology from within the NHS rather than a push from industry. A joint communications initiative will inform the NHS of agreed areas for working together.
