British Health System Looks at Linux

DanBrusca writes "The Observer is reporting that Britain's biggest employer, the National Health Service, may ditch Microsoft due to mounting licence costs. 'Richard Granger, NHS IT director, has ordered a trial of a Linux-based system from Sun Microsystems as part of a UKP2.3 billion computer modernisation plan. The plan could see Java Desktop software rolled out across the NHS's 1 million staff and 800,000 computers to replace Microsoft's Windows operating system and Office suite of programmes.'"

Comments

Re:Perscription transfers

[darkewolf]

I would assume that the British system of prescriptions are tied to the issuing doctor. To get replacements, one would have to go to the original doctor. Electronic transfer means someone can change doctor without needing to through a tonne of paperwork.

Other advantage of a nice electronic system is that it may be useful for stopping doctor shopping. If each doctor has instant access to medical records, you can fib to them and get more chemicals..