This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Clinical technology centre opens
24/02/2003
A new clinical technology centre for the development and
implementation of IT solutions to support patient care in
Tayside was opened at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee
today.
The new £280,000 centre has been jointly funded by NHS
Tayside, the University of Dundee, and the Executive in a
partnership venture.
It will house up to 30 clinical and IT development staff
working on adaptations of web technology that can support
and improve patient care.
The centre will undertake the following types of
work:
- Tayside's electronic health record
- Electronic referrals from GP to hospital
- Electronic discharges from hospital
- The management of chronic diseases such as
diabetes, heart disease, cancer and asthma
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"I welcome the collaboration between clinical and IT
specialists which is at the heart of the work of this
centre.
"We do need to give proper priority to the development
of e-health systems which are essential to the development
of the patient centred care we are striving for.
"The investment of clinical time is vital to such
developments. I believe clinical champions are needed to
demonstrate to other clinical staff that the benefits are
real, not just for patients but for them too.
"We will play our part in helping e-health become a
reality for patients across Scotland. We will do our part
by increasing our investment in IT so we can build up our
national IT infrastructure."
Professor Andrew Morris, who co-ordinated the
development of the centre, said:
"This venture builds upon the spirit of collaboration
between NHS Tayside, the University of Dundee and the
Scottish Executive. It comes at an exciting time. It is
clear that e-health solutions are essential for the further
development and improvement of high quality clinical
services.
"Tayside is ideally suited for such a development as we
have a track-record not only in developing IT solutions for
healthcare but also in health informatics and health
services research."
Dr David Dorward, a local GP, said:
"We are on the crest of a wave as to what e-health is
starting to deliver to improve patient care. This new
centre will provide a unique environment where clinicians
and IT developers can work together and develop a common
language so that IT solutions can support the patient
journey between general practices and hospitals."