Healthcare and NHS IT
IT is becoming increasingly critical for healthcare delivery. Vital initiatives such as electronic medical records, patient administration systems and telehealth are receiving growing investment in the NHS and elsewhere. Key technologies such as mobile, tablets and cloud are also essential for improving the healthcare industry with digital healthcare technology. Read the latest news about NHS IT and find resources on the broader world of healthcare IT with the news, case studies and advice in this topic section.
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News
03 Jan 2024
Artificial intelligence to the front in Sweden’s National Technology Strategy
Sweden focuses in on artificial intelligence in its latest far-reaching national IT strategy Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Oct 2023
Finland shows off its new 20-qubit quantum computer
Anybody who scoffs at Finland’s lofty ambitions in the field of quantum computing should remember that not only is the country home to one of Europe's most successful companies (Nokia), but it also houses Europe’s most powerful supercomputer (LUMI). Continue Reading
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News
02 May 2018
Finnish government launches regional digitisation plan
Finland’s government allocates €400m to support digital projects run by the country’s local authorities Continue Reading
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Feature
02 May 2018
Chatbots demonstrate unexpected range of uses, from mental health to education
Chatbots, software that uses normal language to communicate with people through text or voice, are proving their value in a surprising variety of ways – from accountancy support to mental health Continue Reading
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News
01 May 2018
HMRC dismisses criticism of ‘perfectly good’ IR35 online assessment tool
Senior figures from HM Revenue & Customs have hit back at claims that its online IR35 status tool is not fit for purpose, as survey data suggests public sector contractors are being assessed without the tool’s help anyway Continue Reading
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News
01 May 2018
CIO interview: Martyn Wallace, CDO, Scottish Local Government Digital Office
Scottish local government’s chief digital officer describes the challenges of driving digital change across the country’s councils Continue Reading
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News
01 May 2018
Bristol’s historic bridge pressed into service for rural broadband
Gigaclear is running cables underneath Bristol’s historic Clifton Suspension Bridge to bring ultrafast full-fibre services to forgotten communities Continue Reading
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News
01 May 2018
Imperial College taps volunteer smartphones for cancer research
Imperial College London is working with the Vodafone Foundation to co-opt smartphone processing power for use in cancer research Continue Reading
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News
30 Apr 2018
Security industry welcomes NHS move to Windows 10
Representatives of the security industry have welcomed the announcement that the NHS will be migrating to Windows 10 as part of a multi-million pound deal with Microsoft, but warn that the move will not be without its challenges Continue Reading
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News
30 Apr 2018
Over a million homes can now access FTTP, says Ofcom
Access to viable broadband services continues to improve across the UK, according to Ofcom Continue Reading
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News
30 Apr 2018
Yorkshire and Humber region awards HSCN contract to Redcentric
Network services provider Redcentric wins the first major regional Health and Social Care Network contract as procurements around England gather pace Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Apr 2018
GDPR: An overview of the latest data protection legislation
The forthcoming General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will have wide-ranging implications for every organisation that processes personal data. This comprehensive overview tells you what you need to know Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Apr 2018
Software-defined networking: gathering momentum in the enterprise?
Suppliers are pushing the benefits of software-defined networking harder than ever, and enterprises are starting to take the plunge rather than remaining on the sidelines Continue Reading
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News
27 Apr 2018
Welsh government plans digital pilots in the Valleys
As part of its digital vision for the Valleys, the government looks to pilot Uber-style transport app for NHS patients, a community Wi-Fi scheme and better use of data mapping tool Continue Reading
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News
27 Apr 2018
Jeremy Hunt launches review into training NHS staff to use new tech
Jeremy Hunt announces a review that will look at how to train NHS staff to use new technologies such as artificial intelligence, genomics, digital medicine and robotics Continue Reading
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News
25 Apr 2018
Government promises £300m extra funding as part of £1bn AI sector deal
To become the number one destination for artificial intelligence, the UK needs more specialist skills, and a new injection of funding is aimed at boosting the country’s AI skills pool Continue Reading
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News
25 Apr 2018
Scotland’s digital health and care strategy highlights need for collaboration
The Scottish Government will create a joint decision-making board, a national approach to service redesign and a national digital platform to ensure interoperability Continue Reading
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News
25 Apr 2018
EC sets out plans for sharing health data across borders
The European Commission wants to introduce EU-wide standards for health records, and allow EU citizens to access and share their patient information securely across member states Continue Reading
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News
24 Apr 2018
Full-fibre broadband specialist CityFibre acquired for £538m
Full-fibre broadband specialist CityFibre is to be bought by a Goldman Sachs-backed consortium as it seeks more cash to fulfil its expansion plans Continue Reading
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News
24 Apr 2018
Unified communications supplier Mitel bought by VCs
Unified communications and networking technology supplier Mitel is to be acquired by affiliates of Searchlight Capital Partners for $2bn Continue Reading
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News
24 Apr 2018
NHS shared care records: progress, projects and privacy
Sharing health records across health and social care has been something the NHS has worked towards for a long time. As the NHS ramps up its plans, has it finally got the right balance between patient care, privacy and feasibility? Continue Reading
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News
24 Apr 2018
Nurses want to use IT, but are held back by barriers
A majority of nurses welcome digital technology, but costs, poor connectivity and a lack of interoperability act as barriers, and lead community nurses to use paper instead Continue Reading
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News
24 Apr 2018
Orangeworm cyber attack group targets health sector
A cyber crime group is targeting the health sector and related industries in the US, Europe and Asia in a suspected corporate espionage campaign, researchers warn Continue Reading
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News
24 Apr 2018
Vodafone CityFibre broadband venture gathers pace
Residents of four more cities – Coventry, Edinburgh, Huddersfield and Stirling – will be hooked up to the ultrafast full-fibre broadband service in the coming months Continue Reading
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News
23 Apr 2018
Data and digital infrastructure key to genomic sequencing success, say MPs
Science and Technology Committee says genomics had potential to revolutionise the NHS, but is worried delays to NHS digital projects and data sharing concerns could threaten progress Continue Reading
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News
23 Apr 2018
Community Fibre gets £25m to fund broadband in London
Broadband supplier receives backing from the National Digital Infrastructure Fund to bring full-fibre services to 100,000 more properties across London Continue Reading
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News
19 Apr 2018
UK and Indian governments agree tech partnership
Agreement aims to identify organisations in the two countries that can work together and open up opportunities for tech entrepreneurs Continue Reading
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News
19 Apr 2018
Harvey Nash: 90% of contractors admit post-IR35 reform stress
Harvey Nash Recruitment polls contractors about how they feel the IR35 reforms have affected their livelihoods one year on from launch Continue Reading
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News
18 Apr 2018
PAC sets June 2018 deadline for Department of Health to count NHS cost of WannaCry
Government spending watchdog orders Department of Health and Social Care to work out the cost of the WannaCry ransomware attack on the NHS so trusts know where to target their cyber security spending Continue Reading
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Opinion
18 Apr 2018
Protecting your intellectual property in a digital world
Your business is creating innovative computer code, slick user interfaces, and is using digital technology to solve new problems. How do you protect your investment? Continue Reading
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News
18 Apr 2018
Huawei debuts its first intent-based networking proposition
At its Shenzhen Analyst Summit, Huawei unveiled its intent-based networking concept, promising to address enterprise customer pain points around network management Continue Reading
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Opinion
17 Apr 2018
Moving away from analogue health in a digital world
Healthcare records still rely on faxes, email, mail and paper, but the innovative use of technology will lead to major improvements in medical care Continue Reading
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News
15 Apr 2018
Ethics key to AI development, says Lords committee
House of Lords Select Committee calls for government to draw up an ethical code of conduct, which organisations developing AI can sign up to Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2018
Crown Hosting and Fujitsu urge SIs to rethink approach to public sector IT in cloud era
Crown Hosting and Fujitsu claim shift away from large, multi-year outsourcing deals is a change some systems integrators are intent on ignoring Continue Reading
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Opinion
12 Apr 2018
The seven levers of digital transformation
Organisations that embark on digital transformation projects often run into difficulties. Following the seven principles of digital transformation will help them reap the benefits of digital technology Continue Reading
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News
11 Apr 2018
Policy yet to catch up with innovation in digital health sector, says report
Barriers such as poor procurement practices and lack of consensus about “what good looks like” can hinder NHS innovation, but there are still opportunities for digital health startups Continue Reading
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News
11 Apr 2018
Finnish government backs national AI development strategy
Government is harnessing Finland’s tech base to help make the country a leading location for the artificial intelligence industry Continue Reading
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News
10 Apr 2018
NWIS and Life Sciences Hub Wales to create digital health ecosystem
The NHS Wales Informatics Service and Life Sciences Hub Wales have joined forces to launch a digital health and care network to help tech companies access the sector and share innovations Continue Reading
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News
10 Apr 2018
HS. focuses on global scaling for healthcare startups in new accelerator programme
HS. is trying to enable healthcare startups to scale internationally as part of its accelerator programme Continue Reading
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E-Zine
10 Apr 2018
Technology is a lifesaver for NHS Blood and Transplant
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to the CDO of the NHS’s blood and transplant agency about how digital transformation is proving to be a real lifesaver. Our latest buyer’s guide examines the state of public cloud. And we find out how Ireland is expecting a Brexit dividend to boost its tech sector when the UK leaves the EU. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
10 Apr 2018
Ransomware top cyber threat, DBIR shows
Ransomware remains the top cyber security threat to organisations, humans continue to be significant weakness and HR departments are a top target, according to the latest Verizon Data breach investigations report Continue Reading
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News
09 Apr 2018
Healthcare services will be built around IoT by 2030, according to report
The next five to 10 years will see massive disruptions in the healthcare space, with artificial intelligence playing an increasing role in diagnosis and treatment by 2030, a report predicts Continue Reading
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News
09 Apr 2018
Autonomous drones will fly into danger zones for emergency services
Automated drones will use sophisticated visual systems and machine learning techniques to carry out search and rescue missions where humans fear to tread Continue Reading
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Opinion
06 Apr 2018
Why businesses must think like criminals to protect their data
Cyber criminals use three main methods of operation to steal commercial data. Understanding their mindset can help organisations put the right defences in place Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2018
Pfizer tech startup accelerator will be a shot in the arm for healthcare innovation
Pharmaceutical giant invites startups to apply for its second Healthcare Hub: London accelerator, with the chance to share £50,000 funding Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2018
Interview: GDPR will give Dutch privacy watchdog its teeth
The Netherlands’ privacy watchdog has not handed out fines so far because there has been no reason to, says the organisation’s chairman, Aleid Wolfsen Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2018
IR35 reforms: Calls for inquiry into pre-launch tests of HMRC IR35 assessment tool
HM Revenue & Customs hits back at contractors who claim it failed to test its online IR35 status assessment tool rigorously enough in the run-up to its launch in March 2017, as calls for an inquiry into its dev and test procedures grow Continue Reading
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News
29 Mar 2018
AstraZeneca IT exec steps down
Pharmaceutical giant’s vice-president of IT transformation and office of the CIO, Chris Day, is leaving the company after eight years in the role Continue Reading
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News
29 Mar 2018
UK government secures public sector discounts on Microsoft cloud products to April 2021
Government procurement chiefs have secured ongoing preferential pricing on Microsoft cloud products for the public sector through Digital Transformation Agreement Continue Reading
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News
29 Mar 2018
Cryptocurrency mining rampant in higher education
Higher education institutions are the biggest target for illicit cryptocurrency mining, data shows Continue Reading
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News
29 Mar 2018
IR35 reforms: IT contractors express concerns over ‘inevitable’ private sector roll-out
Research suggests IT contractors are resigned to the IR35 reforms being implemented in the private sector, and many fear an announcement to that effect will come this year Continue Reading
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News
28 Mar 2018
Government should take a ‘Lego brick’ approach to public services, report says
Report calling for a radical reform of public services says government should open up, standardise processes and stop developing services that already exist Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2018
Case study: Berkshire NHS trust provides mental health support through social network
Berkshire NHS is using its Support Hope and Recovery Online Network to provide 24/7 support and advice to service users struggling with mental health issues Continue Reading
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News
26 Mar 2018
CQC raises concerns over quality of online primary care services
Care Quality Commission’s inspection into online or app-based GP services finds that 43% of providers aren’t adhering to “safe care” regulations Continue Reading
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News
22 Mar 2018
GP contract calls for increased digital uptake
NHS England’s GP contract says practices must move to e-referrals by October 2018, and work on improving uptake of patients using online services to 30% Continue Reading
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News
22 Mar 2018
CityFibre consumer broadband collaboration hits Peterborough
CityFibre is returning to one of its earliest Gigabit City projects with Vodafone in tow to upgrade thousands of homes in Peterborough to gigabit-capable full-fibre broadband Continue Reading
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19 Mar 2018
Dream machines: how IT is changing the world of neuroscience
We talk to computer scientist and entrepreneur Jamil El Imad about the cutting-edge intersection of neuroscience and IT Continue Reading
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News
19 Mar 2018
NHS wants independent evaluation of GP at Hand service
The NHS is looking for an organisation to undertake an independent review of the on-demand virtual GP app, allowing patients in London to access GP services using their smartphones Continue Reading
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News
19 Mar 2018
Southwark brings full-fibre broadband to council estates
London’s Southwark Council has enlisted Hyperoptic to deliver FTTP broadband services across its housing portfolio Continue Reading
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News
19 Mar 2018
Russia compromised core router in US energy attacks
Russian cyber attackers used a compromised core router in a series of attacks on the US energy sector, security researchers have revealed as the UK energy sector is placed on alert Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2018
Employers face hiring crisis as AI replaces mid-skilled jobs
Artificial intelligence could replace two-thirds of existing jobs within 20 years, and employers will face growing difficulties recruiting skilled staff Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2018
DocuTrac medical software is a breach risk, warns Rapid7
Security researchers have issued a security warning about medical billing and documentation software they say puts patients at risk of data breach Continue Reading
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News
14 Mar 2018
Non-compliant G-Cloud suppliers escape spend data sharing fines, as MISO revamp gathers pace
Freedom of Information request reveals G-Cloud providers are not being fined for failing to submit monthly spend data, as the CCS claims success with using other deterrent methods Continue Reading
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News
14 Mar 2018
Government setting up local planning group to support 5G roll-out
Digital minister Margot James is building a new initiative to support collaboration on 5G mobile network roll-out at a local level, bringing together councils, landowners and industry to work on planning challenges and policy Continue Reading
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News
14 Mar 2018
Four Scottish health boards to join up health and social care data
Health boards in the North of Scotland plan to deploy a clinical portal by early 2019, sharing health and social care data across the region Continue Reading
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News
14 Mar 2018
Public sector IT buyers still neglecting to report G-Cloud savings, FoI request reveals
Computer Weekly has learned that public sector IT buyers are still neglecting to self-report details of the savings they have accrued through using the G-Cloud framework Continue Reading
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News
13 Mar 2018
Stoke Council picks VX Fiber to light up fibre broadband network
VX Fiber’s Open Access Platform will allow Stoke-on-Trent council to realise a return on its fibre investment while bringing gigabit broadband services to homes and businesses Continue Reading
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News
13 Mar 2018
Government hands out £95m for local full-fibre broadband
The government has named the first recipients of a £190m tranche of funding to realise local full-fibre broadband projects Continue Reading
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News
13 Mar 2018
Government pumps £300m into tech and innovation for ageing society
Business secretary Greg Clark announces plans to use £300m from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund for new technology and research, such as artificial intelligence and genome sequencing Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2018
Digital for rural areas worth up to £26bn to UK economy
A study commissioned by Amazon has posited that greater use of digital tools and services could be worth between £12bn and £26bn per annum to the UK economy Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2018
Eight new cyber threats a second in Q4 2017, McAfee report reveals
There was an increase in cyber attacks on healthcare organisations, the use of fileless malware and cryptocurrency mining in the last three months of 2017, with eight new threats a second Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2018
Scottish government to spend £25m to fill 4G coverage gaps
The Scottish government has announced a £25m programme to infill gaps in 4G mobile network coverage across Scotland Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2018
Government reveals winners of 5G mobile competition
The government has unveiled the winners of a multimillion-pound competition to create 5G mobile network testbeds around the UK Continue Reading
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News
06 Mar 2018
G-Cloud 10 launch date confirmed for June 2018
The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) confirms it will start accepting new bids from suppliers wanting to join the tenth iteration of the G-Cloud framework from April 2018, in anticipation of the next version going live in June Continue Reading
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News
06 Mar 2018
US defence chiefs cut $1bn cloud contract with AWS partner amid anti-trust complaints
The US Department of Defense confirms it is revising down the cost and scope of a billion dollar cloud deal awarded to an AWS partner, after critics picked holes in the procurement process Continue Reading
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News
06 Mar 2018
Essex, Herts Councils expand smart city pilot scheme
Essex and Hertfordshire County Councils have joined forces to run a number of pilots assessing the socioeconomic benefits of smart city technologies Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2018
Government aims to complete genome sequencing project by end of 2018
The government-funded 100,000 Genomes Project, originally due to be completed by the end of 2017, has reached the halfway point and aims to have mapped 100,000 genomes by the end of the year Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2018
Most healthcare organisations have been breached, report shows
Less than a third of global healthcare organisations remain untouched, as data breaches rise across the industry, a report reveals Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2018
Interview: Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands
West Midlands mayor Andy Street talks about why digital is key to the region’s economic growth, his hunt for a chief digital officer, and the importance of skills and collaboration Continue Reading
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News
01 Mar 2018
Imaging systems biggest security risk in healthcare
Imaging systems have been identified as the biggest cyber security risk in the healthcare sector, a report on internet of things security has revealed Continue Reading
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News
01 Mar 2018
Contractor confidence in HMRC’s IR35 online assessment tool remains low
Research suggests contractors still have misgivings about using HM Revenue & Customs' IR35 online assessment tool, one year on from launch Continue Reading
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News
01 Mar 2018
NHS to pilot ID verification platform this spring
NHS roadmap for digital services sets out plans for launching a joined-up NHS app, piloting its citizen ID platform and moving across to the new NHS.uk website Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2018
Cyber criminals catching up with nation state attacks
The trickle-down effect of advanced “military-grade” tools is seeing the gap between cyber criminal and nation state attack capabilities closing, outpacing many organisations’ defence capabilities Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2018
NHS Digital and TechUK set out collaboration priorities for 2018
Partnership will focus on areas such as interoperability, innovative technology, working with SMEs, cyber security and a strategic review of NHS Digital’s digital transformation programme Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2018
Legacy lock-in and lack of skills hamper public sector cloud adoption
Migrating from legacy lock-in and the ability to manage workloads in cloud infrastructure are among the major challenges that are slowing down public sector cloud adoption Continue Reading
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News
22 Feb 2018
Emergency Services Network progress ‘deeply unsatisfactory’, says PAC
A Home Office review of the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme will not be finished before the end of July, the Public Accounts Committee has been told Continue Reading
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News
22 Feb 2018
Developers urged to submit apps to NHS Apps Library
NHS Digital and NHS England have further opened up the newly updated NHS Apps Library, and are asking developers to submit their apps for assessment Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2018
CityFibre launches consumer broadband partnership in Aberdeen
CityFibre and Vodafone are preparing to launch a consumer FTTP broadband service in Aberdeen Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2018
People worried about data security in public sector, survey finds
Majority of people are concerned with the security of the data they share with public sector organisations, according to a report Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2018
Security leaders investing in automation and AI, study shows
Automation and artificial Intelligence are being used to defend against cyber threats, says report, but experts warn that these tools and technologies can be exploited by attackers Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2018
VX Fiber brings Swedish open access full-fibre broadband model to UK
Flush with success in its home market, Swedish open access full-fibre broadband specialist VX Fiber is launching in the UK, with plans to shake up service delivery to users by helping local councils monetise their network assets Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2018
UAE makes artificial intelligence leap
The UAE is investing in becoming a global pioneer in the use of artificial intelligence technology in various sectors of its economy Continue Reading
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News
20 Feb 2018
NHS Digital plots Office 365 and NHSmail integration to boost collaboration in healthcare
NHS Digital outlines delivery timeline for integrating NHSmail with Microsoft Office 365, as it strives to improve collaboration between health and social care stakeholders Continue Reading
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News
19 Feb 2018
Church spires to become mobile coverage hotspots
Following successful trials in East Anglia, DCMS and Defra plan to encourage rural vicars to host broadband connectivity hotspots in their churches Continue Reading
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News
13 Feb 2018
Simon Eccles appointed as NHS CCIO
Emergency medicine consultant Simon Eccles will take over as chief clinical information officer for the National Health Service following Keith McNeil’s departure Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2018
Norway’s government backs cyber defence mobilisation
Norway has accelerated plans to scale up its national security infrastructure against threats emanating from the cyber domain Continue Reading
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News
06 Feb 2018
AstraZeneca inks deals with Alibaba and Tencent in AI push
Pharmaceutical bigwig AstraZeneca hopes to deliver smart healthcare services and combat online sales of counterfeit drugs through tie-ups with Chinese tech giants Continue Reading
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News
06 Feb 2018
Most NHS trusts have failed their cyber security assessments, NHS Digital admits
NHS Digital deputy CEO Rob Shaw told Public Accounts Committee all 200 trusts assessed for cyber security, both before and after the WannaCry attack, have failed their assessments Continue Reading
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News
06 Feb 2018
Tech boosts sales at Abu Dhabi’s Healthpoint
United Arab Emirates healthcare provider Healthpoint has increased sales and efficiency through the use of the latest IT systems Continue Reading
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News
05 Feb 2018
Lauri Love plans to use ‘internet as a force for good’
Engineering student Lauri Love says he plans to help businesses fight cyber crime, after the court of appeal ruled that he can be tried in the UK for allegedly hacking US computer systems, rather than face extradition to the US Continue Reading
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News
05 Feb 2018
Old IT and staff reluctance stop Scottish NHS from adopting new tech
Outdated technology, lack of scale-up and unwillingness to change working practices are among the reasons why the Scottish NHS is struggling to take up new technologies, according to the Scottish parliament’s health and sport committee Continue Reading
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News
05 Feb 2018
NHS WannaCry review highlights need for accountability and skills
Lessons-learned report on ransomware attack calls for local NHS organisations to put cyber security bosses on their boards and consider suspending IT access to staff who have not completed cyber security training Continue Reading