Development of the common information system for Borders Ability
Equipment Service
Some of the main challenges of joint working and how they were overcome
are described by Nick Morris in this account of how Scottish Borders
Council, with Borders NHS and Fibonacci Ltd, successfully created the
unifying Web-based application and its relating management systems for the
region’s newly integrated equipment-loan service.
ABSTRACT
The information system of the Borders Ability Equipment Service was
developed as a joint project by Scottish Borders Council and Borders NHS as
a major part of a project to unify two independent equipment-loan services.
There were several key elements that determined the functions of the
electronic information system: the establishment of a single delivery
service from a new joint store; the introduction of a mobile unit that would
be proactive in providing advice to the community; the development of a Web
portal to provide online information and advice so that clients could make
choices; and an IT system to manage the stock and the ordering and delivery
of equipment.
The development, functions and benefits of the system are described, as
well as ongoing and future developments.
Br J Healthcare Comput Info Manage 2005; 22(1): 20–2. |
