NHS Lothian signs deal with Ordnance Survey

25 August 2009, 4:20pm

NHS Lothian signs deal with Ordnance Survey

NHS Lothian is the latest organisation to add its name to the new One Scotland Mapping Agreement, giving it access to a huge range of Ordnance Survey mapping data to aid the delivery of patient services.

It becomes one of 74 public-sector organisations in Scotland to have signed up. The One Scotland Mapping Agreement means public-sector organisations can not only use mapping to support their own work but also easily share information with others.

NHS Lothian is responsible for commissioning and providing health care for visitors and residents to Lothian.

Dr Alison McCallum, Director of Public Health and Health Policy, NHS Lothian, says: “One of NHS Lothian’s main priorities is tackling health inequalities, and access to this mapping data makes it easier to identity and target areas where people have poor health.

“This will be an important addition to the tools we use to analyse health trends and deliver improvements.”

The One Scotland Mapping Agreement is the first time that the public sector anywhere in Britain has licensed Ordnance Survey products under a single agreement. The four-year partnership replaced the separate agreements for local and central government and reflects the need for information sharing between those organisations that work closely together, such as a local council and NHS board.

Dominic Cuthbert of Ordnance Survey comments: “To have a new member is a clear indication that Ordnance Survey is offering the public sector what it wants. We’re delighted to welcome NHS Lothian and I am certain that access to intelligent mapping data will make a difference to the quality of services for local people.”

The One Scotland Mapping Agreement includes a broad range of Ordnance Survey mapping, including OS MasterMap Topography Layer, the world’s most detailed geographic database, with almost half a billion features. The Scottish public sector is using mapping to support a wide range of services, including grant and subsidy management, environmental protection, emergency planning, community development and the provision of health and social care services.

www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk

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