03 November 2004

Patient care set to benefit from £40m Microsoft investment

The NHS is to benefit from a £40 million development effort by Microsoft Corporation to develop a health specific user interface for clinical systems which will improve patient care and safety across the NHS, it was announced today.

The user interface is being developed at no charge to the NHS, although the NHS could financially benefit from any exploitation of the system by Microsoft around the world.

Under the agreement Microsoft will supply code based on the full shipping versions of its desktop software that can be used by independent software vendors (ISVs) such as IDX, iSOFT and others to bring uniformity to the various clinical systems.

Microsoft will also supply customised versions of Office and Windows to deliver a consistent look and feel to NHS computer users.

Microsoft has already begun work on the research and development of the interface, which is being created with the help of National Programme for IT clinicians, who are providing help and guidance on its design. The first version of the health specific user interface is expected to be available early next year.

Richard Granger, Director General NHS IT, said: "This is a major investment by Microsoft to help develop a common look and feel of all clinical applications to improve patient care and safety across the NHS. This will speed up the process of dealing with patients and reduce the risks of unfamiliarity of different systems."

(gmcg)