New electronic x-rays and
scans will mean faster diagnosis for patients UK
10 May, 2004
Millions of patients will get
treatment more quickly and efficiently thanks to new technology to be rolled
out across the country from this summer, UK Health Minister John Hutton
announced today.
The new system will enable images such as X-rays and scans to be stored and
mailed electronically rather than printed on film and filed manually –
enabling doctors to provide a much faster diagnosis.
Rather than having to physically transfer an X-ray or scan by hand from one
hospital department to another, health professionals across the NHS will be
able to access the information at the touch of a button.
The system, called PACS – Picture Archiving and Communications
Systems – is being established under the Department of Health’s £6bn IT programme.
PACS technology will begin to be rolled out from this summer through five
Local Service Providers (LSPs). National coverage will be completed in three
years.
People in rural areas will especially benefit because PACS will be put into
Minor Injuries Units and other diagnostic locations, saving many journeys to
hospital.
John Hutton said:
“This ground-breaking deal is a great example of how investment in the IT
infrastructure is helping to deliver better patient care.
“The new system will help doctors do what they do best – treating patients –
and will provide NHS users with a first class, 21st century service.
“The digital image will follow the patient wherever they go and will be able
to be recalled whenever and wherever they need to be accessed by a patient’s
healthcare professional.
“Hospitals will no longer have to pay for film, doctors will be able to
diagnose treatment quicker and patients will receive a faster, better
service.”
Richard Granger, Director General of NHS IT, added:
“The Local Service Providers have worked with us to deliver the best
possible value and first class performance. Today’s announcement represents
the best possible deal for the NHS.
“We have negotiated a substantial reduction in the average price of a PACS
system. This deal is providing better quality systems for a lower cost with
increased functionality and these will be fully compliant with the NHS Care
Record Service.”
Professor Aidan Halligan, Deputy Chief Medical Officer and joint Director
General of the National Programme for IT, said:
“Today’s announcement has wide-ranging clinical and patient benefits.
“In addition to patients not having to wait whilst their X-rays are
processed and delivered by hand from one department to another, clinicians
will no longer have to hold X-rays up to a light box in A and E to make a
diagnosis.
“There will be improved staff and patient safety due to reductions in
radiation dosages from x-rays and avoiding the use of hazardous chemicals
for film processing.”
v Mr Hutton announced the rights to supply PACS have been awarded to:
v - Fujitsu with GE for the Southern Cluster;
- BT with Phillips – subject to contract – for the London Cluster;
- Accenture with GE - subject to contract - for the East and East Midlands
Cluster;
- Accenture with GE - subject to contract - for the North East Cluster; and
- CSC with Kodak and ComMedica for the North West and West Midlands Cluster.
Notes to editor
1. John Hutton announced the roll-out of Picture Archiving and
Communications Systems at the first joint National Programme for IT and NHS
Confederation Conference at the Cavendish Conference Centre, London W1.
Currently, only 25 Acute Trusts have PACS technology.
2. The aim of the conference is to enable delegates to learn how the
implementation of new systems, supported by effective change management,
will assist NHS decision-makers to achieve their service objectives.