News round-up
Radiology improvements at NHS Grampian
ABERDEEN Royal Infirmary, part of NHS Grampian, has installed a second Symbia S SPECT system with IQ•SPECT from Siemens Healthcare to enhance cardiac services. The nuclear medicine department plans to use the new equipment primarily for cardiac work and the IQ•SPECT was chosen to help increase patient throughput and maintain a high level of quality. The hospital has also installed clinical workflow server, Symbia.net, which allows the processing and reading of SPECT and SPECT*CT studies regardless of location. It is hoped the deployment will help to minimise waiting times and facilitate dosage reduction. “Having previously installed a Symbia S in 2009, we knew how reliable the system was and all the benefits we could expect it to bring,” said Dr Roger Staff, senior clinical scientist at the hospital. “We wanted to improve our cardiac workflow and by combining the Symbia S with IQ*SPECT we anticipate this will increase the quality and accuracy of the images acquired. In addition, we also use Symbia.net to give us the flexibility to view and process images regardless of location.”
A boost for innovation
THE Yorkshire Health Innovation Network is holding an event next month to help companies improve innovation within research and manufacturing. The masterclass will be held on 8 June in Leeds and is targeted at R&D managers, sales and marketing directors and technology experts and researchers. A spokesman for the network said: “The event will introduce delegates to creativity and innovation tools that they will be able to take back to their own organisations and use for their benefit.” Speakers will include Nee Joo Teh, manager of engineering and manufacturing specialist, TWI; and network director, Ian Revie. Subjects include creative problem-solving tools, defining a framework for innovation and realising innovative ideas.
Politician visits GP comms firm
It’s easy to criticise, but in these difficult times the Government is looking for ways to improve efficiency in the NHS and get better value for money from the system while improving the patient experience
THE chairman of the Health Select Committee, the Rt Hon Stephen Dorrell MP, visited the offices of Voice Connect last week to find out about its automated telephone appointment booking systems for GP practices. Dorrell travelled to Leicestershire to learn about the communications solution the company has developed to improve patient access and reduce call congestion. Known as Patient Partner, it has now been installed in more than 600 GP practices across the UK. Company managing director, Stefan Olsberg, said: “The Government has faced some tough criticism recently over its proposed health reforms. It’s easy to criticise, but in these difficult times they are looking for ways to improve efficiency in the NHS and get better value for money from the system while improving the patient experience. We believe that innovative technology such as the Patient Partner system is at least part of the answer.” Elected as chairman of the Health Select Committee in 2010, Dorrell added: “Britain has many small businesses that have developed ground-breaking technologies that solve everyday problems and I was looking forward to meeting the team at Voice Connect to learn more about its work.”
Breakthrough for care sector
GHM Communications, supplier of wireless technology to the care sector, has launched a new method of tracking residents, staff and equipment. The first of its kind developed specifically for the care market, it works through a simple wristband connected to wireless technology which can locate the wearer at all times, particularly when an alarm on the watch has been triggered. The alarm is also activated if the band is laid horizontal in unlikely locations, suggesting the wearer has fallen. In addition, it can track medical equipment such as defibrillators that may be needed in the event of an emergency. Company spokesman, Neil McManus, said: “This is a huge advancement from a panic button located in a bedroom or worn around the neck. It’s great to be able to offer something our customers genuinely need and the response has already been overwhelming.” As part of the package, GHM installs a WIFI infrastructure that can also be used to offer residents services such as telephone lines, WIFI internet access and on-demand TV.