Scotland selects Intersystems Ensembles as national integration platform for healthcare

By EgovAsia Editors | Apr 29, 2010

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NHS Scotland has purchased Ensemble, a seamless platform for integration and the development of connected applications,  within the framework contract for the national Patient Management System, signed by InterSystems and NHS NSS in January this year.

The investment in Ensemble will facilitate the delivery of healthcare improvement as described in the Scottish Better Health, Better Care Action Plan and the eHealth Strategy 2008-2011. The use of a common integration platform will enhance the secure flow of clinical and non-clinical information to improve patient safety and clinical outcomes. Ensemble will enable the efficient management of costs, for example, through standardization and component re-use. Additional benefits will be realised from integrating existing applications and building on prior IT investments.

Ensemble is an integral part of Scotland's Patient Management System that uses InterSystems TrakCare, a connected healthcare information system.

Robin Wright, Chair of the eHealth Leads Group said, "This incremental programme will help Scottish hospitals move towards their vision of a paper-less working environment, streamline patient services, bring about faster diagnosis and treatment and aid the development of a virtual electronic health record."

"The time is right to promote the use of a common integration platform, and Ensemble is well placed to fulfil that role," says Eddie Turnbull, Head of Architecture and Design for the eHealth Programme. "Ensemble will be at the heart of the Patient Management System, and we can build on that to deliver other objectives such as a Clinical Portal. Integration is key to the Service Oriented Architecture approach that is core to our eHealth Architecture Vision."

Paul Grabscheid, VP Strategic Planning, InterSystems adds, "We are delighted that Scotland has chosen Ensemble for this pivotal role in their national eHealth strategy. It provides an opportunity to leverage existing systems and prior NHS investments to enhance the delivery of quality healthcare throughout Scotland."