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.

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
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

News 29 Apr 2016

Cyber security in Belgium will gain prominence after terror attacks

Belgium’s physical security has been branded inadequate, so how does the country’s cyber security measure up? Continue Reading
News 29 Apr 2016

Saudi Arabia could warm to cloud computing, so long as regulation and connectivity keep pace

One of the world’s biggest oil producers has responded to tumbling crude prices by announcing a $2tn war chest to fund an economic diversification strategy, with IT set to be a beneficiary Continue Reading
News 28 Apr 2016

Disrupting IT in the Nordics, from banks to taxis

IT is dramatically changing traditional industry sectors in the Nordic region. Computer Weekly examines the transformation Continue Reading
News 27 Apr 2016

Mobilising a workforce drives up performance and productivity

Mobile workers are also more creative, satisfied and loyal, says EIU study Continue Reading
Feature 27 Apr 2016

CW@50: From local innovations to centralisation – 50 years of healthcare IT

From broom cupboards doubling as server rooms to teleprinters and green screens, as Computer Weekly prepares to celebrate its 50th birthday, we look back at NHS innovations, pitfalls and attempts to digitise over the past five decades Continue Reading
News 27 Apr 2016

Singapore is second most cloud ready country in Asia-Pacific

Broadband quality, data privacy and pro-business regime makes Singapore the second most cloud ready country in the Apac region Continue Reading
News 25 Apr 2016

Indonesian internet users turn to smartphones to go online

Organisations with a cyber footprint in Indonesia must understand most internet users in the country access online content and services on smartphones Continue Reading
News 20 Apr 2016

Free Wi-Fi to be implemented across the NHS by 2019

By March 2018, all secondary care providers will offer free Wi-Fi to patients, with primary care following on in March 2019 Continue Reading
News 20 Apr 2016

Hillingdon Hospitals give clinicians mobile access to care records

Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust builds a mobile digital care record app, giving doctors and nurses access to patient information on iPads Continue Reading
E-Zine 19 Apr 2016

The hunters who prey on cyber criminals

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to the hunters – a new breed of security expert that proactively hunts down cyber attackers before they can strike. We visit Silicon Valley to meet some of the up-and-coming startups in data analytics and business intelligence. And we hear from IT leaders about the people, process and cultural aspects of managing digital transformation. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 14 Apr 2016

NHS England shares results of trusts' digital maturity self-assessments

Data suggests Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust come out on top in NHS England’s digital maturity assessment Continue Reading
Feature 13 Apr 2016

Singapore’s Jurong Health Services: Transforming healthcare through data technologies

Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH) is being recognised for its high standards of data use Continue Reading
News 11 Apr 2016

IT specialist sentenced for stealing NHS computer equipment

A former NHS IT worker is convicted of stealing hospital computer equipment from Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation trust and selling them on eBay Continue Reading
News 29 Mar 2016

Cyber criminals use Microsoft PowerShell in ransomware attacks

A newly discovered family of ransomware, dubbed PowerWare, uses Microsoft PowerShell to target organisations through macro-enabled documents Continue Reading
News 23 Mar 2016

US hospital claims to have fought off a ransomware attack

A hospital in Kentucky claims to have regained control of its IT systems five days after cyber criminals hit it with a ransomware attack Continue Reading
News 23 Mar 2016

Gov.uk Verify not secure enough for NHS, says HSCIC

The government’s Verify identity verification platform isn’t secure enough for the NHS, so Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group and HSCIC are working to add extra levels of security Continue Reading
News 21 Mar 2016

Southend Council to connect key sites with dark fibre network

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council selects CityFibre to supply a 50km dark fibre network across 120 public sector sites in the town Continue Reading
News 14 Mar 2016

NHS England injects £55m to boost e-Referrals uptake

NHS England will use £55m to reward GPs and hospitals using digital referrals by 2018 to increase uptake of its e-Referrals programme Continue Reading
News 03 Mar 2016

Why are big government IT projects still going wrong?

The rural payments programme has again been in the spotlight over its failures, continuing the trend of government IT programmes being noted not for their success, but rather the opposite Continue Reading
News 24 Feb 2016

Great Ormond Street NHS hunts for EPR and research platform worth up to £50m

Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children is looking for an electronic patient record system and a clinical research platform worth £50m Continue Reading
E-Zine 23 Feb 2016

Surviving broadband failure

In this week’s Computer Weekly, after the recent BT broadband outage, we examine the options to keep your communications in place in the event of a failure, to ensure business continuity. We look at the prospects for the OpenStack open source cloud platform in the enterprise. And we see how Ireland is making progress on delivering a digital health service. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 22 Feb 2016

HR technology heads to cloud in Finland

Computer Weekly talked to Finnish experts about Finnish enterprises moving to cloud-based HR IT systems Continue Reading
E-Zine 18 Feb 2016

CW Europe: February 2016

In Europe cloud is restricted and hybrid setups make use of local compute and storage. Continue Reading
News 18 Feb 2016

CIO interview: Nick Hopkinson, Devon Partnership NHS Trust

NHS trust’s CIO aims to deliver digital technology that helps clinicians spend more time with patients Continue Reading
News 10 Feb 2016

MK:Smart enlists IoT supplier ThingWorx for speedy development

Milton Keynes smart city project selects ThingWorx to provide a rapid application deployment environment Continue Reading
News 10 Feb 2016

Beverley Bryant gives details on £1.8bn paperless NHS funding

Both capital and revenue funding will be made available to NHS organisations, but not through a “traditional” tech fund Continue Reading
News 02 Feb 2016

NHS London Procurement Partnership to tender for EPR framework

The NHS London Procurement Partnership plans clinical digital information systems framework tender to support the "paperless by 2020" agenda Continue Reading
News 25 Jan 2016

London mental health trust doctors use Skype for patient consultations

South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust doctors use Skype so patients can stay at home to attend outpatient appointments Continue Reading
News 22 Jan 2016

Crunch time for Australian CIOs as analytics platforms drive strategy in 2016

CIOs in Australia and elsewhere will be expected to deploy technologies that promise to help them get more from the information they own Continue Reading
News 20 Jan 2016

NHS 24 admits ‘systematic failure’ of £117m IT project

NHS 24 has admitted that a “systematic failure around project governance” was the cause of its major IT transformation project disaster Continue Reading
News 20 Jan 2016

PwC acquires Polish cloud consultancy for European operation

PwC is buying Poland-based IT services firm Outbox to build its cloud skills and resources across Europe Continue Reading
News 13 Jan 2016

NHS England launches hunt for ‘CI&TO’ to replace Kelsey

NHS England seeks chief information and technology officer to take over from director for patients and information Tim Kelsey, who left late last year Continue Reading
News 08 Jan 2016

Blackpool becomes third NHS trust to get open-source EPR

Open-source electronic patient records continue to gain traction in the NHS as Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust signs up Continue Reading
News 05 Jan 2016

Fears of software skills shortage in Germany and the Netherlands

Organisations in Germany and the Netherlands are struggling to fill positions for software developers as they digitise Continue Reading
News 31 Dec 2015

Top 10 internet of things stories of 2015

2015 was the year the internet of things began to move from theory to widespread practice, and the fledgling industry shook off the millstone of connected kitchen appliances Continue Reading
News 10 Dec 2015

EE and Motorola confirmed as ESN suppliers by Home Office

EE and Motorola have been formally selected to provide a resilient national 4G network for the UK’s ambulance, fire and police services Continue Reading
News 09 Dec 2015

Russian big data in early stages

The use of big data technologies in Russia is still embryonic and the economic slowdown is stalling developments Continue Reading
News 07 Dec 2015

Cyber attacks an increasing concern for Asean countries

Organisations in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are increasingly the targets for cyber criminals, according to a report focused on the region Continue Reading
News 04 Dec 2015

India’s HCL opens Estonian operation to support Nordic customers

HCL Technologies opens an Estonian delivery centre which will support customers across Europe, including those in the Nordic region Continue Reading
Photo Story 03 Dec 2015

UKtech50 2015 - The most influential people in UK IT

Computer Weekly's annual search for the 50 most influential people in the UK tech scene is complete - meet the winners Continue Reading
News 02 Dec 2015

UKtech50 2015 - The most influential people in UK IT

Computer Weekly has announced the sixth annual UKtech50 – our definitive list of the movers and shakers in the UK IT sector Continue Reading
News 02 Dec 2015

UKtech50 2015 - Computer Weekly's five rising stars

We select five IT leaders destined for great things, to recognise the rising stars of IT alongside our annual list of the 50 most influential people in UK technology Continue Reading
News 25 Nov 2015

Spending review: Osborne gives NHS £1bn for technology boost

The NHS will get £1bn to spend on technology – including an interoperable patient record system – chancellor George Osborne has announced Continue Reading
E-Zine 23 Nov 2015

Technology helping to deliver aid for refugees

In this week's Computer Weekly, we find out how technology is helping to deliver vital aid to Syrian refugees in the Middle East. We look at the barriers to achieving the government's aim of a paperless NHS. And the CTO of special effects studio Framestore talks about the IT challenges behind hit movies such as Gravity. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 20 Nov 2015

CIO interview: Lone Bundgaard, Coloplast

IT development head at Danish medical products and services company plays core role in major change to how the company engages with its customers Continue Reading
News 18 Nov 2015

Cyber security mindset needs to change, says report

Government organisations are prime targets for cyber attacks, leading to increased importance on robust information security, according to a report by Intel Security and the Digital Government Security Forum Continue Reading
News 18 Nov 2015

Whitehall IT chiefs open up about challenges of going cloud-first in central government

Whitehall IT chiefs talk about the progress they have made with abiding by the central government cloud-first mandate Continue Reading
Feature 17 Nov 2015

Does Cambridge University Hospital’s Epic project indicate NHS lacks capacity?

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s £200m eHospital project was seen as a model of how an NHS trust could revolutionise its IT, autonomously. A tale of over-ambition? Continue Reading
News 17 Nov 2015

Irish hospital to offer patient access to records by November 2016

Galway Clinic plans a big-bang launch of its Meditech electronic medical record system, which includes a patient portal and mobile app Continue Reading
E-Zine 16 Nov 2015

How Taiwan is building the internet of things

In this week's Computer Weekly, we meet the Taiwanese companies that are developing the technology building blocks for the internet of things. Our latest buyer's guide looks at the skills needed for modern IT leadership. And we examine the technology options to take superfast broadband speeds even higher. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 11 Nov 2015

NHS Education for Scotland chooses PA Consulting Group to develop digital learning resources

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) signs PA Consulting Group to develop its “one stop shop” digital platform of learning resources for NHS staff Continue Reading
News 20 Oct 2015

Philips uses AWS and IoT to deliver healthcare in the home

Philips plans to make it easier for patients to self-monitor their health using Amazon web services (AWS) cloud and the internet of things (IoT) technologies Continue Reading
News 19 Oct 2015

HMRC VAT rules cut cloud costs by 20% for NHS and government departments

An HMRC ruling on reclaiming tax on cloud services could drive up the use of off-premise technologies in the public sector Continue Reading
Feature 19 Oct 2015

How CIOs can raise their 'IT clock speed' as pressure to innovate grows

CIOs are facing pressure from the board to roll out IT projects increasingly quickly. How can they do that without running unacceptable risks? This article, based on cutting-edge research among leading businesses, offers some answers Continue Reading
E-Zine 19 Oct 2015

IT giants Dell and EMC unite

In this week's Computer Weekly, Dell's proposed $67bn acquisition of EMC would be the biggest in the history of IT – we assess the implications. £175bn of IT outsourcing contracts come up for renewal in the next three years- what are your options? And we hear from IT leaders about security and the internet of things. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 13 Oct 2015

South Manchester NHS signs up to take Allscripts EPR

University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust has become the latest trust in the region to choose an electronic patient record system from Allscripts Continue Reading
News 12 Oct 2015

NHS Health Apps Library to close

The NHS Health Apps Library is shutting down after a two-year tenure, shortly after NHS-approved apps were found to leak data Continue Reading
E-Zine 12 Oct 2015

Europe's data privacy shake-up

In this week's Computer Weekly, after the European Court of Justice ruled the Safe Harbour agreement invalid, we assess the implications for transatlantic data protection. We find out why DVLA has brought its IT back in-house after a 13-year outsourcing deal. And we look at the role of IT in cutting costs in the NHS. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 09 Oct 2015

Lack of trust for banks causes NHS rethink over government online identity scheme

NHS trials of the Verify ID assurance system found patients concerned over using banks to allow access to medical data Continue Reading
News 03 Oct 2015

What to consider when IT outsourcing contracts come up for renewal

Outsourcing contracts worth billions of pounds come up for renewal over the next few years – but unprecedented industry change complicates the CIO's decision Continue Reading
Feature 01 Oct 2015

Risky and untested: What went wrong with the ESN procurement?

In his first major interview since walking away from the Emergency Services Network procurement, Airwave COO John Lewis reveals why his company could take no further part in the process, and discusses the future of emergency services communications Continue Reading
News 01 Oct 2015

AXA PPP gives clients online GP appointments

UK healthcare insurer AXA PPP gives clients access to online GP appointments from anywhere in the world Continue Reading
News 30 Sep 2015

Medical devices must be secure by design, say industry experts

The information security industry is calling for medical device manufacturers to design and build cyber security into all internet-enabled devices after thousands are found to be hackable Continue Reading
News 29 Sep 2015

Two thirds of UK businesses never meet important customers

British businesses don't always meet their best customers or the people they do most business with, because of trends in modern technology Continue Reading
News 28 Sep 2015

University College London Hospital tracks patients using app

Clinicians at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) view patients’ pathology results and track them with an app Continue Reading
E-Zine 28 Sep 2015

Keeping app pirates at bay

In this week's Computer Weekly, we look at how digital piracy is affecting app developers – and what they can do about it. The man behind the controversial NHS Care.data project has quit – what will it mean for the troubled programme? And we find out how digital disruption is affecting the insurance market. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 21 Sep 2015

Gigabit network is more than a fringe benefit for city of Edinburgh

As CityFibre begins a 150km fibre dig in Edinburgh, local businesses and the city council outline their objectives and plans for ultrafast broadband Continue Reading
News 21 Sep 2015

Health chief 'should be held to account' for whistleblow errors

Former nurse and clincial commissioner Bernie Rochford claims unfair dismissal after blowing the whistle on IT problems which put patient care at risk Continue Reading
News 17 Sep 2015

Care.data chief Tim Kelsey to leave NHS England

NHS England’s digital chief will leave the organisation in December to take up a new role with Telstra Health in Australia Continue Reading
News 15 Sep 2015

NHS trust denies bullying and intimidation of IT whistleblower

Managers were already aware of whistleblower's concerns about the accuracy of NHS Southwark's data, tribunal hears Continue Reading
News 10 Sep 2015

US health insurer Excellus BlueCross BlueShield hit by data breach

Forensic investigation reveals a data breach at US health insurer Excellus BlueCross BlueShield exposing up to 11 million records 21 months after the first intrusion Continue Reading
Feature 03 Sep 2015

Why Pegasystems' CEO, Alan Trefler, has learned to think smaller

Pegasystems has made its name supplying CRM, analytics and case management software to the world's largest companies. Now CEO Alan Trefler plans to use cloud computing to broaden Pega's appeal Continue Reading
E-Zine 01 Sep 2015

Wearable technology proves its worth on the front line

In this week's Computer Weekly, we look at business applications for wearable technology. With hands-free police and military pilot projects already under way, wearable technology is set to make its mark in the enterprise in the near future. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 27 Aug 2015

Kellogg Brown and Root wins ESN Delivery Partner contract

Kellogg Brown and Root has won the contract to supply Lot 1 of the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme Continue Reading
News 26 Aug 2015

CIO interview: Elisabeth Stjernstoft, Apoteket

When the Swedish government introduced competition to the pharmaceuticals sector in 2009, the former monopoly faced a major IT transformation Continue Reading
News 21 Aug 2015

Salisbury NHS signs up to Lorenzo electronic patient record system

Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust the latest NHS trust to implement the Lorenzo electronic patient record system (EPR) Continue Reading
News 11 Aug 2015

Use technology to improve NHS, say patients

Almost 70% of the population believes technology should be used in the NHS to improve patient outcomes and efficiency, says Trustmarque Continue Reading
News 30 Jul 2015

NHS Central Southern deploys Clarizen for collaboration

The NHS Central Southern Commissioning Support Unit has enlisted Clarizen to improve cross-group collaboration and improve efficiency Continue Reading
News 06 Jul 2015

Genomics England rejects open source to deploy EMC Isilon HPC storage

100,000 Genomes Project rejects building open-source parallel file system on x86 servers and opts for EMC Isilon clustered NAS deployed by Capita S3 Continue Reading
News 02 Jul 2015

NHS IT system for GP data upload slammed for delays and overspend

National Audit Office report highlights problems that led to four-year delay and a system that did not work when completed Continue Reading
News 02 Jul 2015

Accenture uses Avanade cloud for NHSmail

Accenture to deploy a cloud-based email system for NHS staff using a combination of Microsoft software and Avanade cloud technology Continue Reading
News 23 Jun 2015

Pharmaceutical companies use BPM to cut cost of clinical trial drugs

Pharmaceutical companies have developed an IT system to secure the supply of medicines they need for clinical studies, saving hundreds of thousands on their drugs bill in the process Continue Reading
News 15 Jun 2015

NHS e-Referral system goes live, despite 33 issues and GDS warning

NHS England has launched its replacement hospital appointment booking service, even though it has known errors and failed to follow government digital guidelines Continue Reading
E-Zine 08 Jun 2015

The file-sharing face-off: Box or Dropbox

In this week's Computer Weekly, we look at the two most popular tools for cloud-based enterprise file sharing and assess the relative merits of Box and Dropbox. We talk to some of the early pioneers in developing smartwatch apps. And we find out why IT security spending is shifting from prevention to detection and response. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 03 Jun 2015

Sourcing must adapt to digital business goals, says Gartner

Businesses need to change their sourcing strategies if they are to keep pace with the digital revolution, says analyst organisation Gartner Continue Reading
E-Zine 01 Jun 2015

Google’s big data vision

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we examine Google’s 11-year big data journey from MapReduce to Cloud Bigtable, the internet giant’s latest NoSQL database service. We look at the role of mobile technology in helping to join up health and social care in the UK. And John Lewis IT director Paul Coby talks about the IT challenges of creating an omni-channel retailer. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
News 29 May 2015

Top six enterprise IT priorities in the Nordics

The future of enterprise IT looks bright in the Nordic region, with growing focus on datacentre investments, national cloud and automatisation Continue Reading
News 22 May 2015

Researchers raise privacy concerns about Bluetooth Low Energy devices

Researchers have raised privacy concerns about a growing number of devices using Bluetooth Low Energy technology Continue Reading
News 15 May 2015

Fire services to keep Airwave Tetra radios until 2020

The Department for Communities and Local Government approves a major extension of the fire services' Firelink Tetra network to the end of 2019 Continue Reading
News 12 May 2015

Former nurse’s career blighted after blowing whistle on IT problems

Southwark's continuing care database included names of patients who had been dead for several years, a tribunal is told Continue Reading
News 11 May 2015

PSNGB rebrands to drive information sharing across PSN

PSNGB, the trade association set up to promote the Public Services Network, rebrands itself as Innopsis and says its work is far from over Continue Reading
News 17 Apr 2015

Accenture chosen to run NHS email service

The NHS email service is to be provided by Accenture, after the IT services firm was announced as the preferred bidder by HSCIC Continue Reading
News 15 Apr 2015

Liberal Democrats promise to double innovation spend and 99.9% broadband roll-out

The Liberal Democrats’ general election manifesto promises to double innovation spending and roll out high-speed broadband to 99.9% of homes Continue Reading
Feature 10 Apr 2015

NHS data security: Lessons to be learned

The NHS does not always provide a trusted repository for patient data, but some trusts are examples of good practice in action Continue Reading
News 27 Mar 2015

NHS announces £78m technology fund for health and social care providers

The NHS will give £78m integrated digital care funding to health and social care providers in 2015 to help them invest in technology Continue Reading
News 26 Mar 2015

UK attacks on crypto keys and digital certificates endemic

All UK security professionals polled in a global survey have responded to attacks on keys and certificates in past two years Continue Reading
News 18 Mar 2015

Internet of things and 5G network research priority in 2015 Budget

Research into the internet of things and the 5G networks to support it figured highly in chancellor George Osborne’s 2015 Budget Continue Reading
News 18 Mar 2015

Premera hack exposes 11 million financial and medical records

US health insurance firm Premera Blue Cross reveals an IT systems breach, exposing financial and medical records of 11 million customers Continue Reading
News 04 Mar 2015

Strong future for enterprise IT in Nordic countries

From attracting the world to its ice-cool datacentres to the digitisation of the public sector, there is plenty going on in the Nordic region Continue Reading
News 24 Feb 2015

London’s Air Ambulance swaps A-Z maps for mobile apps

London’s Air Ambulance has halved emergency dispatch times through an incident information and routing app from Mubaloo Continue Reading