Comments on: Davey Winder: the problematic legacy of the NHS

By: John Pyle

John Pyle — Tue, 23 May 2017 09:50:48 +0000

In the absence of the government, these enterprising characters have started https://www.nhsbuntu.org/

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 23 May 2017 08:25:38 +0000

I suggested many years ago, that the Government should develop and support it’s own Linux based OS (desktop and server), free to be used by all public organisations. Directly employ a dedicated development and support team (potentially working in partnership with a commercial organisation) to manage it. By now the country would have saved billions, have got off the M$ gravy train and be able to avoid such issues. Suppliers would have to be on board to get any business from the public sector. Sadly it was pooh-poohed (because we needed Excel). I still think it is a good idea.

By: William

William — Fri, 19 May 2017 15:48:23 +0000

Legacy software using Active-X and similar is the problem.

DON’T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN!

When purchasing new software, make sure there’s a clause in the contract that requires the supplier to update their software to work on the latest version of Windows [or Linux, Solaris, Unix or whatever] within a reasonable time [6-12 months after its release?].

By: Harry Longman

Harry Longman — Wed, 17 May 2017 13:36:57 +0000

An article on similar lines was published in BMJ which came out on Friday even as Wannacry was hitting. You could not have made it up. Well done Davey.

By: Davey Winder

Davey Winder — Tue, 16 May 2017 07:36:40 +0000

Thanks Joe, but truth be told anyone with a modicum of security sense could see this coming. Obviously I don’t include government ministers, their advisors or Trust executives in this description 🙂

By: joe mcdonald

joe mcdonald — Mon, 15 May 2017 23:22:54 +0000

…….and the oscar for digital health’s most prophetic article ever written goes to……………
bitcoin millionaire ….. Davey Winder……….
utterly brilliant Davey, we must meet and have a pint.

By: Davey Winder

Davey Winder — Mon, 15 May 2017 11:19:07 +0000

In reply to Dave Kelsall. Thank you. If only the people with control over purse strings (not that money is the root of all this specific evil) and power to change the *process* were listening...

By: Davey Winder

Davey Winder — Mon, 15 May 2017 11:17:54 +0000

In reply to John Pyle. Yep, and have been rubbing it about this particular thing for years now... :-)

By: Dave Kelsall

Dave Kelsall — Sun, 14 May 2017 08:51:41 +0000

This article skillfully articulates the risks that hundreds of IT staff within the NHS have been raising for several years. Risks that turned into issues on the 12th May 2017.

By: John Pyle

John Pyle — Sat, 13 May 2017 11:16:49 +0000

Gulp! Do you have a crystal ball, Davey?