Northern Ireland secures computers for 6 million
civil service in Northern Ireland
The civil service will be purchasing 10,000 high-security desktop computers and 4,000 secure laptops. The roll-out begins in the next two months and will end within a year, Finance Minister Peter Robinson said.
He added that the upgrade was spurred by a review of data security following the data loss by HM Revenue and Customs last year. "The Executive does not take the issue of data security lightly. That is why I ordered an immediate review of our data protection systems last December following the HMRC incident," he explained in a statement.
He added: "Government has saved a total of 3 million in making this purchase now. The equipment that is being replaced would have been due for upgrade within the next two years."
Southampton hospitals use tech to cut waits
Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust
The trust will deploy Ardentia's Pathway Manager to help manage patients' treatment from initial referral to their treatment.
Adrian Byrne, IT director at the trust, said: "Improved processes and systems, and access to essential referrals-to-treatment information means a better flow of patients, enabling managers and clinicians to plan and manage their workloads more effectively and deliver an improved level of service, as well as ensuring compliance with national reporting requirements."
Shropshire gets self-service benefits and taxes
The seven-year contract with Northgate Information Solutions will give the 300,000 local people easier access to benefits and tax information by increasing the use of self-service. People will be able to make applications online, speeding up the benefits assessment process. Users will also be able to track the history of enquiries and transactions online.
The council will be using the system to make better use of mobile phones and SMS to contact those in the community most in need of their services.
