Doctors key into cyber surgery

From the archive, first published Tuesday 30th May 2000.

Family doctors now have a world of information at their fingertips, thanks to an Oxfordshire company which has designed unique cyber surgery software, writes Victoria Owen.

Radcliffe Online has joined forces with GP surgery software makers Torex Health in a new scheme to help doctors make vital decisions during patient appointments.

Clinicians can already visit the Radcliffe Online website, where the latest information on illnesses, treatments and medications is available at the flick of a switch. But now the company, based at Marcham Road, Abingdon, has linked up with Torex Health, which makes software for GPs to store patients' notes.

As doctors bring up particular cases on screen, they will also be able to log on to Radcliffe Online - making it quicker and easier to get practical support before making a diagnosis. By keying in specific medications or conditions, the system will provide up-to-date data. Radcliffe Online managing director David Reynolds said: "It has been very difficult to get information on to GPs' desktops because they have only just recently gone online, and also because of confidentiality and security.

"Our system means we can provide safe information in a secure way. Although our main website is a public domain, we will soon have components which are specifically for GPs.

"We've already had a lot of interest and the general feeling seems to be that it's great information."

Torex Health medical director Dr Glyn Hayes said: "The need for good quality information to assist in patient care has never been greater.

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