Patient records on spine to be accessed via PDA

Oracle, who are providing infrastructure for the NPfIT for the NHS data spine, have signed a partnership deal with Medify Solutions, a based mobile services provider based near Newbury, to provide the ability to access patient records over PDAs.

The MedifyRemote system will not just allow access to records on the data spine, but theoretically to any other patient record system used by clinicians. Another partnership deal, made with Orange, will provide line rental and equipment to users. Orange will receive £20 per month for each PDA in operation, plus costs of voice calls.

An investor relations spokesperson for Medify Solutions told E-Health Insider: "A doctor could be out for dinner and get a page on his PDA. On the PDA he could access NHS records securely, and pull up the whole history." Electronic transfer of prescriptions would be possible with the software, the spokesperson confirmed.

Jeremy Nettle, EMEA Business Development Director for healthcare at Oracle, said: "We are excited at the potential for Medify’s technology and are delighted to welcome Medify as an Oracle UK partner company. IT is an important enabler of change and system transformation in the NHS.

"With increasingly greater emphasis on primary care delivery, there will be a growing need for remote data solutions to support busy NHS professionals."

Nettle added that nurses and GPs would especially benefit from the system. "There is clearly a need for fast, secure access to data at the point of patient care delivery."

Jonathan Bryant, founder and MD of Medify Solutions, said: "We have had considerable interest from a number of SHAs and PCTs, and look forward to working with Oracle to introduce this exciting new development."

According to investor information published by the company, "Orange’s role is purely to provide the network and the handheld device; Medify Solutions’ role is to provide relevant content for healthcare professionals, and are currently the only Business Partner to provide NHS specific content."

The company adds: "A couple of Primary Care Trusts have seen the Medify solution and decided that the handheld device is in effect a mobile phone and laptop combined, which they believe is better value than providing their staff with two separate pieces of equipment."