“When it comes to interpreting our specifications for the NHS renaissance are flexible , innovative in their thinking and actively give us value for our investment”

We have been developing software solutions for NHS Trusts since 1997. We were originally asked to convert databases written using Foxpro, into Microsoft Access databases and to automate tasks using VB routines.

Over the years we have been involved in several types of development but significantly, have been responsible for the Trust’s Information Reporting Tool called WhichDoctor. This software populates a large SQL Server Data Warehouse with data from all sorts of sources, namely, Sybase Datasebases, Oracle, Excel spreadsheets and disparate Access databases. Some of these routines are automated on a scheduled basis, others are triggered by the Users.

The data is re-formatted using Transact SQL stored procedures and displayed on the Intranet using Active Server Pages.

We have been responsible for the design and implementation of the software as well as the maintenance of the site on an ongoing basis. The bulk of the analysis centres around waiting lists and performance and looks at a daily waiting list position, charting recent trends. It also estimates where potential problems may occur with long waiters or patients who need urgent appointments.

The software also has a scaled down site, allowing Primary Care Trusts and GP Practices to see data relevant to their organisation, the number of patients treated by category and region. It compares actual throughput in each Hospital within the Trust with local Service Level Agreements, allowing drilldown by Specialty and Reporting Period.