Mapping software could offer way out of data maze

Matthew Spencer, marketing manager at manufacturer Mapinfo, told EHI about what benefits the program, MapInfo Health Pro, might offer: “Rather then looking at the data in rows and columns, you can look at it in relation to geography."

The system processes any data that already exists in clinician databases and spreadsheets and scrapes postcode data. “It goes through process of geo-coding, converting the postcoding information to longitude and latitude,” Spencer continues. “So, from a health perspective, you can see where your resources are, such as GPs surgeries or the position of equipment."

Other uses for the software include plotting demographic data (as pictured right), or showing incidences of various diseases or other widely-suffered health problems. MapInfo’s manufacturers claim that it can help resolve health inequalities within a local area, or identify where resources need to be applied or redistributed. The output from the software could also be used to help authorities to prepare for emergencies, and improve public safety.

Peter Hyland, Information Analyst for Harrow PCT, said that MapInfo Health Pro would be a useful addition to his tools, and would help pool data about the large number of GPs, pharmacists, dentists within the area: “We frequently receive requests from our colleagues regarding the location of healthcare professionals and MapInfo HealthPro will be a useful tool for helping us identify whether our existing service meets our population requirements."

Spencer admits that the software isn’t a unique idea, but claims that MapInfo Health Pro is one of the most user-friendly and hence popular on the market: “With a lot of the products around, you have to become an expert."

Other London PCTs which have MapInfo installed include Brent, Camden, Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster. However, MapInfo says that several rural and non-metropolitan PCTs, trusts and boards find the software useful as well.