Friday 23 October 2020

Data & Technology Webinar



Some screen captures and links from a very interesting webinar that Catapult Virtual Connections Cafe  put together on Digital Infrastructures.  This was very interesting but packed with loads of information from the speakers. It may seem that as a retired nurse midwife why would I be interested in this.. Well our career in the NHS has many databases to manage and I have had a research post where I was gathering raw data to feed into a database.  I therefore was interested in if original keystrokes are footprinted and changes to input recorded to avoid corrupted data.  Politically this has been a year where we have seen the front information from politicians and media being distorted and confused. It was reassuring as I already am aware that Civil servants obey a Code of Conduct  and data bases are pure objective but I still draw attention to this link in the wording:- 

The Civil Service is an integral and key part of the government of the United Kingdom1. It supports the government of the day in developing and implementing its policies, and in delivering public services. Civil servants are accountable to ministers2, who in turn are accountable to Parliament3 

We need data to be pure objective no matter who in government in order for efficient management of companies, organisations and in the NHS patient care and long term planning to meet the need of the catchment population.  An extreme example from my clinical background and an actual case  ...Managers need to know the weight of population and if there is a rise in gross obesity. This is to order special larger beds and lifting equipment to ensure patient dignity and the health and safety of staff in caring for the patient.  I remember one extreme case that was resuscitated survived but needed transporting to ITU we had to call the fire brigade to transport him from resus to ITU... and this was upsetting for all concerned and vital time for transfer had clinical impact too.




This presentation was fascinating but made me feel that we will need a complete review of style of infrastructures for the future.  Do we fit technology into existing structures or will we need new designs? 

Here is just a tastier of the presentation on the National Data Strategy


There was an array of innovations for defence and security but as my readers are aware I am a peace loving person and would prefer round table discussion over cups of tea to solve disagreements in order to avoid any wars, destruction & loss of lives.... but the medical innovations (as is through history) is coming from the field work on the front line.