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BMA members vote for NPfIT review

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:05:39 GMT

Doctors have voted in favour of an independent review of the NHS National Programme for IT

Members of the British Medical Association supported a motion at its annual representative meeting in Liverpool, calling for a review of the entire programme led by Connecting for Health.

The motion, proposed by Dr Gordon Mathews, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Buckinghamshire Hosptials NHS Trust, condemned the "continuing waste of money" on the national programme, saying that most of its applications are not working successfully and are delayed. It also called for CfH to concentrate on developing speciality solutions that are "fit for purpose to support professional clinical quality metrics, audit, research, revalidation, patient care and outcomes".

Doctors also supported a motion that GPs should retain their role as holders of patient medical records, as it is fundamental to maintaining confidentiality, and that the opt in approach to the Care Record Service will help patients to understand the implications of any transfer of their data.

A spokesperson for the BMA told GC News that, following the vote, it will be pressing the government for a review of NPfIT and campaigning for local IT solutions for the NHS.

Victor Almeida, senior analyst at Kable, said: "The BMA are not the first to criticise the national programme for lacking a coherent clinical approach and robust patient confidentiality standards. It will not be the last either."

A motion from the BMA's Buckinghamshire Division, congratulating the BMA on its successful campaign to remove the government's proposal to share identifiable patient medical records with other government departments from the Coroners and Justice Bill, was also carried.

Survey shows caution over online services

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:39:10 GMT

The public is reserving judgement on the idea of taking crucial public services online, according to a newly published survey

The National Endowment for Society, Technology and Arts (Nesta) has published the findings as part of the Reboot Britain campaign, which is pushing the potential of a digital society following the government's publication of the Digital Britain report.

The figures show that, from 1,092 people questioned between 23-26 June, over half are reserving judgement on the wisdom of moving a large number of service online. In response to the question 'Do you think switching as many public services and facilities as possible online is a good thing?' 57 replied 'Maybe', with 22% saying 'Yes" and 21 saying 'No'.

Respondents also showed some caution over the speed of change. Only 4% supported the idea of making the switch as soon as possible, while 74% should it happen within the next five years, 18% said it should take up to 10 years, and 3% favoured up to 20 years.

The findings suggest that, while the public is not openly hostile to a greater reliance on online services, they do not share the enthusiasm that underlies the government's strategy. It may prove difficult for a government to sell the idea of more online self-service, despite the success of examples such as self-assessment for tax returns and renewing road tax.

Despite this, most respondents showed an appreciation of the advantages claimed for services. Asked why they could be a good thing, majorities agreed with a number of suggestions: that they would save time (84%); they would make services easier to access (60%); they would meet their personal needs (57%); they would save public money (56%); and they would save the user's money (56%).

There was only minority support, however, for the ideas that they would help things run more efficiently (39%) or make it easier for users to provide feedback on a service (39%).

People also indicated concerns over problems with privacy, security and ease of use. For each issue about 50% of respondents said they would be "somewhat" of a problem, while about 40% rated it a "high problem".
Despite the mixed picture to emerge from the figures, Nesta has stated its support for an increased emphasis on online services.

Its chief executive, Jonathan Kestenbaum, said: 'It's clear that the UK is committed to an online future. We've got to use this to our advantage by making our public services accessible to people. Our economy will depend on it."

Council uses Bluetooth against anti-social behaviour

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:25:28 GMT

Wirall MBC's anti-social behaviour team has started using Bluetooth technology to send public messages on anti-social behaviour

In late June the north-west council began to send animated messages advising local residents who to contact if they are suffering because of anti-social behaviour, and to tell young people that its Youth Respect Team will be in their area with activities aimed at youngsters.

The messages are sent out from a hub in the Respect Team bus and can be picked up by anyone with a Bluetooth device within a radius of 50 metres.

Caroline Laing, manager of Wirral Anti-Social Behaviour Team, said: "When members of my team and our partners are working in an area we can send important information to members of the public. People can choose to accept or reject a message so it is not forced upon anyone.

Councillor George Davies, cabinet member for housing and community safety, said it is important that the public has confidence in the abilities of agencies to tackle anti-social behaviour. "This is a strong tool to not only provide the public with information, but reassure them that agencies are working together to deal effectively with issues that are raised."

A spokesperson for the council said the initiative had only just been launched and it has not yet collected any usage data or feedback from the public.

Planning Portal pushes best practice

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:30:12 GMT

The central online planning service has made the Best Practice Guide for the Planning Portal available to English local authorities

Communities and Local Government (CLG) said that planning departments have taken delivery this month of the toolkit to support their use of the portal.

The guide provides advice on how they can reduce the time staff spend on general planning enquiries by setting up click through links on the Planning Portal website. CLG said this will help them to save time and costs by helping website users educate themselves on relevant aspects of the planning process.

It also expects the move to prompt an increase in website traffic.

Chris Kendall, director of the Planning Portal said: "The guide has been introduced to help outline the main benefits that can be achieved by simply implementing effective linking practices between LPAs and the Planning Portal. Many local planning authorities are already reaping these benefits and are providing a higher quality of service, saving money, time and effort as a result."

Johnson presses for haste on foreigner IDs

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 10:54:27 GMT

Home secretary Alan Johnson has asked the UK Border Agency to look at speeding up the issuing of identity cards to foreign nationals

As part of the change of plans for the National Identity Scheme, Johnson has asked the agency to review its implementation programme. It has already issued 50,000 cards to people legally working in the UK, and plans to provide them to all foreigners from outside in the European Economic Area (EEA), if they are staying for more than six months, in the next three years.

A spokesperson for the UK Border Agency told GC News that no details are available on its reaction or when it is due to report back to the home secretary.

Philippe Martin, senior analyst at Kable, commented: "It is feasible that they can do this because it only concerns people from outside the EU, and there are not that many of them. It should not take too long, especially as most of the relevant people will already have visas."

The government has made a priority of issuing the cards to non-EEA nationals in an effort to combat illegal working.

Earlier this week it was reported that Johnson has cancelled plans to make the identity card compulsory for airside workers in UK airports, but is encouraging voluntary take-up, especially among young people as a proof of age.

An independent identity commissioner will be appointed in the near future to oversee the National Identity Service, but compulsory identity cards for foreign nationals will continue to be overseen by the information commissioner and the chief inspector of the UK Border Agency.

Airline to sell London travel cards

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:54:08 GMT

Transport for London has made arrangements for its Oyster smart card to be sold on some London bound flights

It has agreed with easyJet that, as part of a three month trial, the airline will make the Visitor Oyster available on all of its flights going into London Luton, Gatwick and Stansted.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said the deal is the first of its kind and will make it easier for passengers to transfer to the Underground, London buses, the Docklands Light Railway and other Transport for London (TfL) services.

The deal marks the biggest expansion so far of the Visitor Oyster network, and will provide a service to the thousands of passengers who travel on easyJet flights to London each day.

Johnson said: "Many of us share the experience of arriving in a new city and having our first moments taken up with the baffling process of working out what tickets are needed. People flying to London with easyJet can now pick up one of our cards and enjoy the ease, convenience and good value offered by Oyster.

"London remains an incredibly attractive business and tourist destination and the many thousands of people visiting us this summer will be able to benefit from this huge extension to the Visitor Oyster card network, which makes Oyster more accessible than ever."

The cards will not be usable on the train and bus services from the airports to London. A spokesperson for TfL told GC News that easyJet already sells tickets for these on its flights, and that the new deal will make it possible for passengers to make their connections in London without having to find a ticket machine or booth.

Visitors with an Oyster card and an easyJet boarding pass will also be able to obtain 20% discounts on purchases at Westfield shopping centre.

The partnership between TfL and easyJet was brokered by VisitBritain. If the trial is successful the scheme will be extended. A TfL spokesperson told GC News it is talking to other airlines about the possibility.

MoD to upgrade Bowman

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:33:32 GMT

The Ministry of Defence has awarded two contracts to General Dynamics UK upgrade the armed forces' military communication system

They are aimed at improving the performance of the Bowman system, providing more equipment for users, upgrading planning and system management applications, and improving interoperability with other allied systems.

Under the first contract, known as Capability Release 1.5 and valued at £119m, General Dynamics will update the system's capabilities over its lifetime to reflect advances in technology. The second, valued at £112m, will provide longer term technical support for the Bowman programme and will include repairs, field services and the provision of spares.

Quentin Davies, the minister for defence equipment and support, said: "Bowman has been used successfully in Iraq and Afghanistan, where secure, faster communications and data exchange is saving lives on the front line. It is a key element of a comprehensive suite of communications systems to provide a robust network that allows commanders to exercise command and control effectively.

"These contracts are testament to our work with industry which allows us to rapidly adapt to technological advances and the evolving operational demands of our front line troops."

The MoD added that the work will help to sustain several hundred jobs at the General Dynamics' Oakdale site in South Wales.

Bowman's secure radio communications and basic data capability have been used on operations since 2005.

Business Link adds standards check

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:19:22 GMT

Business Link has added a service to its website enabling companies to check on relevant standards

A new section has been added to government's central site for supporting businesses, providing summaries of 880 of the most viewed or purchased standards to have been uploaded.

It covers national, EU and international standards, and is intended to support businesses in assessing whether they require a certain standard.

Mercedes Clarke-Smith of businessslink.gov.uk said: "By looking at Standards Summaries on the Business Link website, businesses will be able to identify which are relevant to their business before buying the full standard and so help avoid wasting money on standards that are perhaps unsuitable.

"The simple, yet comprehensive summaries help businesses determine which standards are relevant in order to help businesses adhere to best practice. Equally, by following relevant standards businesses' products and services will
achieve a recognised quality level in the market place - potentially leading to
improved sales."

Business Link said the majority of standards provide guidance to businesses, while some help them comply with legal requirements.

Survey shows slow progress on green ICT

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:32:56 GMT

A survey on the progress of the green ICT movement has shown that public sector organisations lack information and awareness about carbon reduction

Environmental charity Global Action Plan and networking company Cisco Systems have revealed that 67% of 150 respondents were concerned about their organisations' ability to meet the targets set out last year in the Greening Government Information Communication Technology strategy.

The survey findings, published as The Path to Greener Government, show that only 16% of respondents are sharing expertise on green ICT strategies with other public sector agencies.

Only 22% of respondents said they have set internal green ICT targets, suggesting that initiatives which are being implemented are not part of a wider strategy; and only 13% calculated their carbon footprint, even though the information could provide a starting point for a carbon cutting ICT strategy.

The study concludes there are few incentives for change, as 81% of respondents do not pay for their energy use and 67% do not see their energy bill. This deprives them of incentives or basic information to benchmark their performance and measure reductions.

The research, carried out in April and May, was supported by interviews with policy makers including Catalina McGregor, government deputy champion of green ICT at the Cabinet Office and Steve Palmer, president of Socitm.

Palmer said: "The economic downturn we face provides an enormous opportunity for maximising the potential that ICT has for delivering high quality, low carbon services.

"Green ICT initiatives cannot just reduce travel, enable flexible working and reduce energy consumption; they can also improve the quality and delivery of front line services. What is needed is greater understanding and collaboration between organisations to put these innovations into practice."

The government strategy was developed by the Green ICT Delivery Unit of the Chief Information Officers Council and was launched by Tom Watson, the then minister for transformational government in the Cabinet Office.

Socitm takes mixed view of Digital Britain

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:08:43 GMT

The Society of Information Technology Management has come up with a mixed response to the government's Digital Britain report

In a policy paper published on 1 July 2009, the organisation for public sector ICT professionals welcomes many of the proposals set out in the report, but says it should have paid further attention to some issues.

The society praises the timing of the report, emphasising the opportunities to use ICT to deliver services when the pressure on public sector budgets is increasing. It also welcomes Digital Britain's recognition of the need to develop online content to attract take-up, and the focus on the strategic role played by government in setting standards and developing an infrastructure for digital development.

The paper also expresses Socitm's support for the proposed National Plan for Digital Participation, and acknowledges the focus on affordability as a barrier to using online services. But Socitm says the report fails to address accessibility for people with disabilities.

In addition, it makes only a brief reference to the opportunities of using ICT to develop democratic processes. Socitm's paper says this is surprising, given Digital Britain's recognition of the empowering potential of digital technologies, and the adoption of "unconferences", such as Twitter, wikis, blogs and instant messaging.

The society also has concerns about the "lukewarm approach" to the development of fibre based, future proofed, next generation broadband networks. This will leave Britain in a poor position relative to its competitors, many of which are investing in national stimulus programmes and strategies for broadband access, including fibre to the home that can provide speeds of 100Mbps plus. This compares with the 2Mbps internet connection proposed under the Universal Service Commitment.

"We welcome the overall focus of the report and its recognition of the strategic role played by the government in stimulating and developing the infrastructure for a Digital Britain'' said Martin Ferguson, head of policy at Socitm and author of the paper. "We look forward to working with government on practical implementation of the report's proposals, especially in ways that will benefit people in our local communities."

Travel operators criticise e-Borders

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:16:52 GMT

Rail and ferry operators have warned that the government's e-Borders project will cause long delays for passengers

Representatives of rail and ferry operators said the government's proposals for electronic checking of passengers have been designed with airports in mind, and are inappropriate for rail and ferry terminals.

Giving evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee on 30 June 2009, they said that many ferry and rail passengers do not book tickets in advance. Scanning four passports for a car checking in at a port would take between 50%-80% longer, and coaches pose a particular problem because the ferry operator has no contact with passengers until they arrive.

Tim Reardon, policy manager for the Chamber of Shipping, told the committee that at peak times ports deal with 40-50 coaches each hour, and capturing passport data on arrival is not an option.

Speaking the following day he told GC News: "Travel by ferry is only in groups and usually in vehicles. The e-Borders scheme is designed for long haul aviation, and does not transfer to other services."

In a submission to the committee, Eurostar said that collecting passenger data before departure could significantly erode the 40 minute journey time savings achieved through the government's £6.1bn investment in the High Speed 1 line.

Marc Noaro, Eurostar's customer service director, expressed concerns that e-Borders would significantly affect the speed of traveller throughput, making stations overcrowded and inoperable.

The operators said there were questions about the legality of e-Borders, in particular whether national laws on data protection in countries where passengers embark for the UK permit the transmission of data to the authorities of another state.

A Eurostar spokesperson told GC News that the company had written to the UK Borders Agency in November 2008 about its legal concerns, but had not received a reply.

The £750m contract for the scheme was awarded to a consortium led by Raytheon and is scheduled for completion in 2014. Currently 60% of travel is being checked by the electronic system.

The Chamber of Shipping warned there is "no prospect of e-Borders going live in relation to ferry traffic, as the UK Borders Agency contends it will by next year".

However, Philippe Martin, senior analyst with Kable, said the programme is going ahead on schedule, but that some of the processes may have to be revised to provide more flexibility in passing through borders. For example, the information on passengers would have to be collected on coaches rather than ferries.

Liberal Democrat shadow home secretary Chris Huhne said: "e-Borders is fast becoming another classic example of how the government can take a good idea and turn it into a disaster. We need exit checks so we actually know who is in the country, but we need them now, not in 2014.

"It should be possible to count people in and out of the country without delaying passengers, angering travel operators and keeping a huge database of our movements for 10 years."

Sustainability body calls for travel data

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:59:04 GMT

A government watchdog has called on the public sector to raise its game in managing travel data

The Sustainable Development Commission said that government needs to be more consistent, broader and accurate in reporting, collating and managing its data on travel.

It has to cover all modes of business travel, commuting and visitor travel. This would help to produce strategies for more environmentally friendly travel in the future.

It made the statement in response to a report it commissioned from JMP Consultants titled A Review of Government Travel. Its main finding is that management information on departmental travel is hard to source and limited in scope, and that this has prevented detailed analysis on the subject.

The report says there is evidence of individual departments making progress in the area, citing the example of Buying Solutions' access database enabling it to assess key environmental impacts. But the information on expenditure, frequency and types of business trips and environmental impacts is still too limited.

It says this should be readily available, and makes a number of recommendations. These include Buying Solutions carrying out a study on how travel data is compiled by departments, working with them to ensure it is accurate, and making its travel database widely available.

It also recommends that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs mandates the collection of management information from all forms of business travel and employee commuting. This should help government to understand its travel patterns and improve performance.

Welsh Assembly expenses go online

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:42:24 GMT

The National Assembly for Wales has begun to publish members' expenses claims online

Members' claims appeared on the assembly website on 29 June 2009. Initially only claims from the 2008-09 financial year will be available, but from October the data will be updated every month, three months in arrears.

The site can be searched by assembly member, allowance type or date of claim. It reveals first minister Rhodri Morgan's £1,504 claim for parking, Mohammad Asghar's £300 claim for a website and presiding officer Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas' £2.79 claim for mobile phone costs.

Elis-Thomas said: "We have always tried to be up front with the voting public in Wales and given them as much detail as possible. But I believe that if the national assembly is to maintain its integrity as the primary democratic institution for Wales, it must have the full confidence of the people of Wales.

"Therefore, we aim to be even more transparent, even more open and even more candid with the people of Wales than ever before. That's why we are launching this expense log today and why we set up, in August 2008, an independent panel to look into the system of financial support for assembly members and that panel is due to make their recommendations to us next week."

Johnson changes tack on ID cards

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:49:58 GMT

Home secretary Alan Johnson has ditched the plan to make biometric identity cards compulsory for pilots and airside workers, but said he wishes to speed up their delivery in other areas

The cards were being piloted at Manchester and London City airports prior to a national roll out. The Identity and Passport Service (IPS), which is implementing the National Identity Scheme, said that airside workers will still be encouraged to obtain a card to speed up security checks, and improve the movement of reference checks between employers and airports.

A spokesperson for the IPS told GC News the home secretary had been equivocal that the scheme should be voluntary. The airport staff had been told it would be compulsory for them for security reasons.

According to a report in The Guardian, Johnson commented: "Holding an identity card should be a personal choice for British citizens – just as it is now to obtain a passport.

"Accordingly, I want the introduction of identity cards for all British citizens to be voluntary and I have therefore decided that identity cards issued to airside workers, planned initially at Manchester and London City airports later this year, should also be voluntary."

In a statement, Johnson said he is still a supporter of identity cards and wants to speed up their delivery. He said the government will now focus on making them available to young people to act as proof of age, claiming this would help communities deal with retailers selling restricted goods to teenagers.

Johnson said: "There will be significant benefits to individuals from holding an identity card, which will become the most convenient, secure and affordable way of asserting identity in everyday life. Identity cards will also be valid for travel throughout Europe in place of a British passport.

"That is why I have announced today that I intend to see their introduction speeded up. The benefits are not just for individuals but also for communities where a reliable proof of age will be invaluable in the fight against under age drinking and young people trying to buy knives. But at the same time, these cards will benefit young people who, on average, have to prove their age more than twice as often as adults and I want to make that process simple and secure."

Johnson's decision will add further fuel to speculation that the national roll out of the cards will not go ahead. The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have both said it should be scrapped.

Philippe Martin, senior analyst at Kable, said that Johnson has returned to the original focus of the scheme when it was announced by his predecessor David Blunkett in 2002.

"There is a reshaping of the scope of the scheme." he said. "It was a move too far to force airside workers to use the cards when it is meant to be about protecting and helping citizens.

"A lot of the talk has been about using the cards to fighting terrorism and identity theft, but now Johnson wants it to be more about proof of age and helping to deal with the associated social problems."

Brown plans local crime e-maps

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:05:00 GMT

Prime minister Gordon Brown's policy plans for the next year include providing citizens with an online 'crime and justice map' of their local area

Among the plans outlined in the policy document Building Britain's Future are that from September members of the public will have electronic access to a range of information, updated monthly, on crime, policing and sentencing for their area. This will include a 'scorecard' outlining the performance of their local police.

The policy document also says there will be online petitions and voting on neighbourhood policing priorities, how criminals' assets should be spent and other local crime issues.

It also makes clear that, despite warnings that the extensive use of CCTV is creating a 'surveillance society' it will continue to play an important role in anti-crime measures. Following the provision of more than £170m of government funding for some 700 CCTV schemes over the past decade, the focus will shift to improving the effectiveness of surveillance systems through better training of operators and inviting members of the public to provide feedback.

Communications regulator Ofcom's powers will be reviewed to reassess the balance between encouraging investment and delivering competition in communications infrastructure. A £150m innovation fund will support technology industries, with the aim of encouraging up to £1bn of private sector investment.

Lanching the document on 29 June 2009, Brown told the Commons: "In this plan we are determined to take forward the progressive reforms of the last decade. Our task after three terms in office is not merely to defend Britain's achievements over the last decade but to work even harder so as to meet new challenges with the same sense of conviction."