DoH publishes info strategy

21 May 2012

The Department of Health (DoH) has published its information strategy – The power of information – which sets a ten-year framework for transforming information for the NHS, public health and social care.

The focus of the strategy is on improving access to information, including a commitment that people will be able to access their GP records online by 2015. Other ambitions are for test results to be available electronically and that people will be able to book or re-arrange their medical appointments online.

Within the strategy the DoH has identified dozens of case studies from across the country where GPs, hospital trusts or suppliers are ahead of the game in delivering services in this new way. Examples include:

• GP surgery that encourages patients to access their records online
• New information service for parents from NHS Choices
• Care homes in Bristol using barcodes to avoid medication errors