25-01-05
MESaLS V4 is now available for demonstration

Click here to view it....

2nd Russell Group University opts for pFACT!

2nd Russell Group University opts for pFACT!

Universities of Hull & Bath go for pFact

In the last two weeks two more Universities have joined the growing family of pFACT users, bringing the total to five since its launch in October 2004.

When asked the reason for choosing pFACT, Hazel Wallis, Head of Research Support Unit at Bath University said:

"We found Baum-Hart particularly responsive to users' needs and very much aware of the driving forces in the world of fEC and TRAC."

Alan Bates, Senior Consultant, HE Sector at Baum-Hart who heads up the pFACT project stated:

“Of course, we are delighted that pFACT has generated such an enthusiastic and immediate response. With more possibilities in the pipeline, we do seem to have produced something that Universities identify with in a big way. No surprise, really! We just listen and learn, then produce the goods …. fast! “

Lancaster Professor says pFACT is easy to use!

Professor Harry Pinkerton, Head of Department and Professor of Physical Volcanology Environmental Science at Lancaster University said this of pFACT:

"Prior to arriving this morning for the pFACT presentation I was concerned that any costing tool would be too complex and onerous for PIs to engage with. Having had just a 20 minute presentation I am delighted to see how easy pFACT is to use and believe that a PI could comfortably develop a costing proposal using pFACT, without having to get out a calculator. I look forward to using the fully developed software early in 2005 when it becomes an integral part of Lancaster University's project proposal
process."

University of Nottingham choose pFACT as their fEC solution 11-04

It is our great pleasure to announce that the University of Nottingham have confirmed their intention to use pFACT, the fEC project costing software from Baum Hart & Partners.

Ian Wilson, Head of Research Information Systems at the University of Nottingham, said this about their reasons for choosing pFACT:

“The University of Nottingham undertook a review of the Costing & Pricing marketplace starting back in March 2004 with a view to acquiring a tool that would provide both 'regular' and 'fEC' costings to be calculated in a highly devolved deployment. It therefore needed to be robust, secure, browser-based and well supported.

We decided that 'pFACT' from Baum Hart most closely met our business requirements. The decision was mainly based on the following factors:

1. the level of resource available for both ongoing support of the product and for new development which was ring-fenced for UK clients and/or the UK market as fEC requirements are likely to evolve and mature over the coming months and years

2. the knowledge and understanding of the pFACT team and their responsiveness to both general enquiries and to specific issues

3. the functionality of the system. For example pFACT is currently the ONLY system which can provide both University-wide and Department-specific unit costs in a controlled manner

4. the cost of the software compared with competitor systems

Following our successful pFACT road-shows in October and the interest they have generated since, we look forward to a busy and successful 2005.

MESaLS contract for nationally recommended IT system for Community Equipment Services 3-03

MESaLS is now one of a recommended list of IT systems available to Community Equipment Services, having passed the qualifications set by the NHS Purchasing and Supplies Agency (PASA) in conjunction with the ICES (Integrating Community Equipment Services) organization.

The framework allows Community Equipment Services to purchase an IT system in the knowledge that the system provides a minimum functionality set, devised by a national organization which has formulated its output based specification based upon detailed research into the needs of Community Equipment Services across the country.

With over 30 sites now using the software, including private sector ‘fully managed’ services, making MESaLS the largest externally provided system in the country by some distance, MESaLS now has an official endorsement to what has already been common knowledge. With our user group growing, we also have the largest pool of input to direct the development of the software, ensuring that all enhancements are user driven while all remain covered by a single, very competitive annual maintenance charge, in accordance with standard Baum Hart & Partners policy.

For further information about ICES see www.icesdoh.org (in particular click on Topics > IT Systems). You will also find links there to the PASA web site where you can download a copy of the OBS and find out more about the national framework details – check out www.pasa.nhs.uk/rehabilitation/ces/mgtsys.stm
For more information about MESaLS or an on-site demonstration please get in touch via our ‘contacts’ section.

"The agreement will deliver the most up to date software to improve the quality and delivery of patient care through better IT support and will be followed by similar deals with other suppliers to cover the full range of software packages used by the NHS".
The 3 year deal with Microsoft provides a single corporate licence for the NHS and is a rental agreement covering all popular Microsoft products that are being used together with any updates released during the period of the contract. This allows NHS staff to have access to the most up to date versions to improve communication within and between departments and organisations.

Hart helps Ghana Ministry of Health with Activity Based Costing of Hospitals - 12.01
John Hart, our Senior Partner, recently returned from Ghana after a successful trip leading a team of international consultants and local officials charged with the task of advising the MoH on activity-based costing methodologies.

Amongst their conclusions, the group reported that such costs would help improve internal management of services, provide the inputs required for planning and budgeting the next five-year programme of work and also provide the measures need for considering alternative funding strategies.

Plans are afoot to introduce ABC to a cross-section of regional and district hospitals, health centres and clinics throughout Ghana before rolling it out to all facilities.
John says "Its been an exhilarating experience! Dealing with the highest levels of management of Ghana's Health Service has been challenging but fun. Rarely have I seen such enthusiasm, co-operation and sheer determination to improve health systems and services to the public.

The thought that one day all hospitals in Ghana will know the total cost of what they do is a very real possibility. The field trips we engaged in revealed that the core data required for the exercise was there, albeit on manual records. They're within an ace of leading the world on ABC"

The study was commissioned by the Ghana Ministry of Health, funded by DFID (Department for International Development) and delivered through Oxford Policy Management.

4th January 2002
BHP move to new office premisesBaum Hart moved to new premises on 4 January 2002, to accomodate their growing number of office and help-desk staff.The offices are on the A38 at Truthe House, two minutes from junction 12 of the M5, with easy access from and to most parts of the country.Office Manager Carol Mansell says :-"It's great to start 2002 with a move to our new purpose-designed offices, with the latest in computer and telephone links. It's only a few miles from our previous premises and much easier to find and park."

Take a look at the "Contact Us" page on our website for our new telephone numbers and directions on getting to us.

5th February 2002
MESaLS epidemic in Rotherham spreading throughout UK In October 2001 we first reported the MESaLS epidemic at Rotherham Community Health Equipment & Wheelchair Services, who had just acquired our complete suite of software dealing with the management, issue and recovery of equipment and stores.Now just four months later, the epidemic seems to have spread to all parts of the country with authenticated outbreaks of the software in London, East Anglia, the Midlands, Shropshire and the North-East. Hopes to contain the software to England were dashed when reports of acquisitions in Scotland and Northern Ireland were confirmed.Chris Reed, Partner in charge of the MESaLS operation said: "Despite all my efforts and those of my team, there is little we can do to stop the further spread of MESaLS. The software seems to have taken on a life of its own and is rampaging throughout the country. I'm afraid we must brace ourselves for more to come!"He added: "To be serious for a moment, we at Baum Hart have known the strengths of MESaLS for some time, but it's especially pleasing that those at the operational end of things are now aware of its power too - both in terms of efficiency and of saving real money. Roll-out is well under way at present, and all current orders will be converted into installations by early summer " Since October 2001, the specific locations which have acquired MESaLS are:
London - Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea and The London Borough of Bromley
East Anglia - Norwich Primary Care NHS Trust
Midlands - Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Shropshire - Shropshire Community & Mental Health NHS Trust
North East - Hull & East Riding Community NHS Trust
Scotland - Highland Primary Care NHS Trust and North Lanarkshire Council
Northern Ireland - Homefirst Community Health & Social Services Trust

11th March 2002
Baum Hart main sponsors at NAEP Conference

We are pleased to announce that, for the second year running, we are the main sponsors at the forthcoming NAEP (National Association of Equipment Providers) 6th Annual Exhibition & Conference at Keele University on 18th and 19th June. The conference will offer delegates the chance to mingle with others who share common problems in relation to the management of equipment and stores, and provide us with the opportunity to present our hugely successful MESaLS system to an even wider audience.

We believe that much of the success of MESaLS over the last year can be attributed in no small measure to last year's conference where those who saw MESaLS, including NHS / Social Services Managers and Decision-makers, The Department of Health and The Audit Commission gave it an enthusiastic reception. If you haven't seen MESaLS yet we would welcome the opportunity to show it to you there. Please visit our stand for a preview and to arrange a fuller and more formal presentation to your staff.

Further details on the conference may be found in our MESaLS forum.

20th Februrary 2002
Financial Systems keep rolling on!

Like Ole Man River, they just keep rolling along.
Costing Can there still be an NHS Trust which has not got a suitable Reference Costing system? It would appear so, judging by the sales of our SAPPS software since January 2002. SAPPS may be the grand-daddy of them all, having been our very first piece of software in 1990, but it must have appeal. Since January five more Trusts (Newham PCT, Mid Essex Hospitals NHS Trust, Dudley Priority Health NHS Trust, Mansfield District PCT and Ashworth Hospital Authority) have purchased SAPPS to help them produce their Reference Costs.

Whatever the reason, whether it's because their existing system is not up to the task or simply dis-satisfaction with their existing software supplier's after-sales service, we're not complaining! We welcome the five Trusts who have chosen to join our family of Sappers, and look forward to providing them with high-quality, friendly service in the years to come.

Budgeting
Our BEAMS system has attracted three new Trusts during the last quarter.
Stoke Mandeville Hospital NHS Trust, Walthamstow, Leyton & Leytonstone PCT and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust have installed the software to assist with Budget Preparation, In-year Budget Variations and Modelling. We welcome them to the "club" and look forward to meeting them all at our next User Groups.

Contract Monitoring
Brent, Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust installed our SAPPS4 system in February. (Nothing to do with SAPPS, Ed)

Gerald Enuezie, of BKCW's Finance Directorate, felt that SAPPS4 would offer better monitoring of cost per case and Cost & Volume clients and assist with invoicing for Overseas patients, a particular problem in the London area.

He also believed that the calculation of OATS income and forecasting of out-turn income well in advance of year-end would do much to assist with contract re-negotiation in a timely fashion.

"Through linking activity with related income, SAPPS4 will provide a vital technical link between Finance and Information Management" he said.

28th February 2002
Big plans for roll-out of NHS Professionals, London

In November we proudly reported our success in working with NHS Professionals, London, providing them with our StaffBank software. StaffBank underpins their work in providing an efficient temporary staffing service to Trusts throughout the London area, giving them the technology to streamline the process.

A leading article in their website www.nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk underlines the extent of the roll-out and describes plans for the future.

Ten Trusts now signed up in London
There are also reports that North Middlesex University Hospitals NHS Trust and Great Ormond Street are to go online shortly, joining the existing St. Mary's, West Middlesex and UCLH who currently use NHS Professionals.

Barbara Beal, Nurse & Patient Services Director at North Middlesex says,

"the Trust has taken the informed decision to join NHS Professionals as it appears to offer a comprehensive and pragmatic approach to meeting the needs of the workforce and organisation."

Caroline Joyce, NHS Professionals Project Lead at Great Ormond Street adds

"Great Ormond Street are pleased to be part of a new government initiative which should provide a more consistent and quality approach to the provision of temporary nursing staff, both within the Trust and across London"

Ilford Call Centre to go live in March reveals that a second call centre will open soon to cope with the scale of temporary staffing provided by NHS Professionals, London.
The Ilford Call Centre has been flooded by "an avalanche of applications for jobs" following a highly successful recruitment drive throughout London in recent months.
In London alone, 200,000 nursing shifts are covered by temporary staff each month, accounting for about £250 millions, about 30% of the total national bill for temporary nurses.

Chris Lee, BHP Partner in charge of StaffBank says,
"I am both proud and humbled at once, that Baum Hart are involved in such a prestigious project. We are working flat out and in a true spirit of partnership with NHS Professionals to ensure that this national initiative is the great success that it deserves to be. Apart from cost savings, which potentially are enormous, this project will make a major impact in solving the problem of acute nursing shortages in our Capital's hospitals….. and outside London too."