Hold on to your electrometers and batten down the mainframe, people! Scotland is about to see a change in its NHS . . . and IT will be at the heart of it.
A new public tender has been issued by the NHS National Services Scotland as part of a cunning masterplan to help transform the way hospital staff, right across the country, prescribe medication.
The NHS is looking for those in IT services, consulting, software development and internet support to help build a system that will enable them to deal with prescription issues more readily and make patient information more accessible and user-friendly to those who need to use it.
Yes, it’s the dawn of a new age when tablets will be in charge of tablets!
The tender states that “multiple suppliers” are required and, although no timescale is put on its completion, the promise of such a massive boost to the IT sector in Scotland is surely good news for everyone in the sector.
The idea is to establish a Scottish-wide multi-supplier Hospital Electronic Prescribing and Medicine Administration (HEPMA). HEPMA systems are designed to enhance the prescription process, from both ends of the process. Information also needs to be protected, of course, and prescriptions monitored.
It’s believed the system will initially be for use in hospitals, but it could find its way into the wider healthcare picture – though best tell Granny that, no, this doesn’t mean her special Smarties will be sent through the Tinterweb!
IT companies who are interested will have to meet high NHS standards of quality and functionality and maximise the projects potential. Where some specific Scottish requirements are not met by bidders, time will be given to modify the systems to meet the requirements. From here, successful bidders can engage with the project and begin work.
This major new development underlines the crucial role IT plays in the health service. User-friendly and reliable systems are key to storing and protecting patient information, improving the accessibility of healthcare and patient information and in connecting people to the health service.
And it’s just one more cool example of the kind of work available on the health & information technology (HIT) market. The roles available cover a broad range of skills and specialisms, with opportunities for system analysts and engineers, software developers, IT support and consulting.
HIT plays a big part in Scotland’s IT industry as a whole, and this news will help generate interest in the expertise and skills available in the Scottish jobs market. It could be just what the doctor ordered!
Why not also check out the latest IT jobs on s1jobs. There’s hundreds of opportunities across Scotland.