For many years now, the private sector has realised the importance of delivering good efficient services driven by information technology. Following this lead, the public sector is now increasing performance with a strategy for eGovernment.
In November 2005, the Government published its strategy; ‘Transformational Government – Enabled by Technology’. This outlines major initiatives on how technology can improve the way central and local Government engages with citizens; from the parent and the pupil to the patient and the taxpayer.
Crucially, the strategy also addresses the needs of businesses. With Economic globalisation forcing governments to effectively compete for commercial investment, the public sector needs to ensure world class standards of business engagement.
The main principles of the eGovernment strategy include:
- Designing technology and services around the needs of citizens and businesses
- Improving efficiency through sharing services and information across public sector
- Minimising costs and risks through reducing failures and improving planning
As a major example of progress within the eGovernment arena, the National Health Service is arguably entering the most profound period of change since its inception in 1948. New technology is being introduced to deliver more quality and consistency of care and an ever widening range of services. Many of the current initiatives taking place are aimed at the establishment of a patient centric view to service delivery.
We have undertaken assignments working with a number of Trusts in the development of support activities associated with the National Programme for IT (NPfIT). The work assignments set out to define key strategies and methodologies which will support the implementation of the programme.
Recently, our health service consultancy team worked with the staff at Oxfordshire Health Informatics Service (OHIS) to establish the current level of understanding regarding NPfIT and the associated implications of this national change project. The delivery of our communications strategy has provided OHIS with the ability to facilitate the behavioural change required for a successful implementation. In addition, our structured methodology helps to identify any extra support required by OHIS staff.
We have significant experience and insight regarding Animal and Public Health issues across Europe. Recently, we have designed, developed and implemented the Animal and Public Health Information System for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland. This system is amongst the most sophisticated in Europe and is certified as being an “operational database” for registration of animals by the EU.
Our progress within this sector also includes working with The British Cattle Movement Service to provide a movement recording solution. This is achieved through the use of bar-coded postcards which livestock holders are required to submit to the Cattle Movement Service. The service receives six million passport applications, twenty million movement cards and over two million items of correspondence every year.
With a host of eGovernment initiatives and technology to be implemented, the public sector is likely to face significant challenges over the next decade as managers and professionals are faced with new systems, new data and new ways of working.
Public Sector Solutions 