This mesage was cretaed at the end of the first day of the NSG conference.
This is an electronic daily report from the conference.
I have asked several people to comment on a paper, meeting or other
aspects of the conference.
Denis Protti
As an "outsider", I have enjoyed the opportunity to give my observations
of informatics in the NHS. Notwithstanding the criticism of being too
optimistic, I continue to maintain that the NHS IM&T strategy is
fundamentally sound and has been a success. If one accepts that the
IM&T strategy was primarily one of establishing an infrastructure for
the eventual sharing of information for clinical and administrative
purposes, then the foundation has been built and the foundation is on
solid footing. What has been accomplished in 5 years should not be
taken lightly. At the risk of avoiding elements which others would see
as more important, it has been my observation that the NHSnet (with all
of its perceived flaws), the Read clinical terms, the NHS number and the
electronic messaging standards will serve as the backbone to a
"clinically informed" NHS. Though the problems have been well
documented, the success stories do exist and one hopes will form the
basis for updating the IM&T strategy for the new millennium.
Alan Gillies
Aside from dinner which gave me the chance to name drop about my
ridiculously tentative associations with Rowan Atkinson and Jethro Tull,
The conference was very interesting for a non-nurse. The primary care
focus group was a small select band but hopefully produced something
useful. Other sessions attended were notable for being interesting, and
the major disappointment was that at a joint conference with the PHC
specialist group so few doctors chose to attend.
Nursing Language Focus Group
The purpose of today's meeting was to provide a concrete focus for the
group - previously the activity of the group was confined to organizing
events at the annual conference of the NSG. The International
Classification for Nursing Practice has been published recently by the
International Council of Nurses as an alpha version. The ICN have
requested feedback - indeed they require it to take the work forward.
The Nursing Language Focus Group intend to provide such feedback. A
clearer strategy for evaluating ICNP will be formulated following the
delivery of the IMG's Nursing Information Research Project early next
year.
Nick Hardiker
Education Focus Group
The tone of the session was set early with red caps and chic waistcoats
leading the way! "Crossing Boundaries" was the theme promoted by all
speakers beginning with the role of education to continue to "push the
edge of the envelope" balancing the need for education, learning and
development with maintaining interest and an element of fun. One
boundary crossed was an excellent presentation by "clinical
practitioners" who "Had an idea..." which is now a CD-ROM! The
expansion of the use of technology in nurse education and practice was
clearly evident ably illustrated by presentations on course development,
quality and type of information on the web and new software for
providing courses via the net.
Paul Tipping
Some general thoughts about the papers and sessions from today. Dennis
Protti gave the opening keynote; in addition to discussing some of the
definitions of informatics, nursing informatics, medical informatics,
clinical informatics etc. etc., he gave an 'outsiders' view (he is
Canadian) of the NHS IM&T Strategy. I think there was a definite element
of grade inflation in the marks he gave to the various areas -
especially the B minus he gave to the NHS Net - maybe I misheard and he
actually said D minus.
The Education & Multimedia Focus Group was good - the CD-ROM produced by
the theatre nurses from Sheffield was very promising, and Rod, in his
inimitable style finally managed to wrestle with the hotel's phone
system and get an Internet link up and running. Right - on to the dinner
now....
Peter Murray
Day One - plenary sessions well delivered and equally well received by a
small yet appreciative audience. Even the av worked without a hitch.
Slightly low marks for timekeeping, which has resulted in a rejigging of
tomorrow's timetable - not serious. Fleur Fisher delivered an
entertaining (in her own inimitable manner) insight into the events
leading up to the soon to be published Caldicott Report, spiced with
some asides about the attitudes of the BMA, the DoH et al! The other
main feature of the day for me at least was the high emphasis placed on
future legacy that EPR etc could have on the prospects for real
integrated clinical records seamless to individual professions' needs.
Both Petula Harrison and Victor Peel addressed variations on this theme.
Which leads me to wonder if we are getting beyond the concept of
"nursing information systems" per se? Now to the NSG Dinner - and
preparation for the morrow.
Brian Layzell
Day one - I came, I sat, I listened, I learned! Apparently there is a
theoretical model based on trying to make a dead horse win the grand
national! Once this model was explained everything made sense. Clever
people try to get the horse to run faster. The really intelligent ones
sell it to a stranger. All in all it has been a very informative day and
I am looking forward to day 2.
Franca Mongiardi
Mental Health Focus Group
Though some what select, the themes raised in this group echoed much of
what appeared elsewhere. The abiding impression to another outsider
(from Scotland), is that the problems facing, from whatever professional
persuasion, us all are in fact common. The commonalities far exceed the
ephemeral differences. The specialist-generalist debate continues, and
is bound to remain unresolved.
Paul Wraight
Well the IT worked and nothing broke down...... so far so good. The
presentations have been excellent and those who are here are thoroughly
enjoying themselves. The dinner was good and David Markwell has just
regaled us with his tale of Healitia, for those from the PHCSG who
remember it!!!!!!!! The Primary Care Focus Group has at last got off the
ground and we are going to do a pilot in University of Central
Lancashire!! Alison Young
Long day chairing sessions....well trying to....then forgot all the
agenda for the AGM....only done it a few times so far. Good day which I
described as a sandwich; Vic Peel saw himself as a stale crust. A lot of
the filling was good and a very entertaining Fleur Fisher talked about
dead hourses...and how to revive them. Lots of folks with
enthusiasm---must get them to do all the work....Graham Wright (Chair
NSG).
--
Cheers
Rod
Rod.Ward@Sheffield.ac.uk
Lecturer, School of Nursing & Midwifery, University of Sheffield
Professional home page - http://www.shef.ac.uk/~nr1rw
Nursing & Health Care Resources on the Net -
http://www.shef.ac.uk/~nhcon
ICQ UIN: 423064
If you have any questions or comments please mail me Rod@RodSpace.co.uk
Page Created: 10.11.97
Last Updated: 3.9.03