This year’s combined Christmas Party will be held at Baldovino Cafe Bar Restaurant on Thursday 17th December starting at 7.00pm. Baldavino is located at 826 High St., Thornbury. 

RSVP is needed as soon as possible and by no longer than 30/11/2009. Please RSVP by either phoning Michele on 9467-1444 or tick Yes or No on the Invite Lists located in the Tea Room.

We look forward to seeing you there, for what is sure to be a great fun-filled evening.  

I am having discussions with “Community Network” about the viability of installing their screens and their software to control the screen content. Basically each screen display area is split into three segments. Segment 1 is the largest main arae in the middle of the screen. This segment will display (No sound) graphic adverts designed and created for us by Community Network. We get use of this content arae 30% of the time and the remaining 70% of the time the screen carries adverts for local businesses. (This is how community network fund the free screens and their operation)

The other two segments of the screen are a sdection down the right hand side, and a scrolling “ticker bar” at the bottom. We get 100% use of these areas to display our own messages etc.

The system is controlled via an easy internet access system, so we can update the content any time we like, from any PC which has access to the internet…from anywhere we happen to be!

Can you all give some thought to the type of content you think we should display on the screen and let me know. Tthe idea is that we use the screen to replace the various notices which are stuck up araound the reception areas, whilst at the same time giving more information on our services etc to our patients.

I have just ordered an upgrade on the WAN (Wide Area Network). We will be using TPG and not Telstra to supply our internet and inter office connectivity.

What this means for you is that the days of frustrating slow connections, particularly using remote desktop access from Grimshaw street to Andrew Place will soon be over. I expect this new WAN to be implemented and running sometime towards the end of November 2009.

But wait…there’s more good news.

Upgrading the WAN is only one part of the solution. The next step is to upgrade the server at Andrew Place. The current server is old and knackered and ready to go to that great computer resting place in the sky. The shiny new super fast computer we are replacing it with will no longer clutter up the desk at the back of reception. All that “gubbins” will be removed and the server will be physically located elsewhere, maybe across the road at Grimshaw Street, or maybve even remotely at TPG’s data centre.

I am currently working on the specification for the new server and I hope to have the new server in place during December.

So what will all thgis mean for you?…Well it will make your life a lot easier. You will have fast reliable connections to our systems, and a fast reliable server. No more dropped connections, no more slow speeds, no more failing backups etc.

I am only “scratching the surface” at the moment of the advantages that our new IT system will bring…if anyone would like any more information, please, just ask me.

This may involve changing Practice 2000 for “PracSoft” or it may involve a more radical change still and changing both MD3 and Practice 2000 for a new integrated solution “Best Practice”.

I am currently evaluating “Best Practice” along with the doctotrs and specilaists to see if this is a suitable alternative.

To give you a flavour of some of the possible changes afoot, the areas I am considering improving are:-

1. Creating and integratating an automatic SMS system, allowing Practice 2000, or whatever software we use, to send out automated SMS messages to remind poatients of their appointments. For our older patients who do not have mobile phones, the system can dial a land line number and play a pre recorded reminder message.

2. Implementing a VOIP (Voice Over IP) solution, which will enable calls between extensions at Grimshaw Street and Andrew Place to take place as though they were simply extensions on the same phone system. No more calling via reception…direct free inter office calls!

3. Implementing a “Call Routing” system, so that when people call we have an ifficient “Digital Receptionist” which will route calls to appropriate destinations, including an emergency response destination.

I have a lot more investigations to do on the phone system before any decision is made, but I wanted to let you know of the areas I am considering at the moment. Improving the nphone system is predicated on improving the IT systems, and this is my main focus at the moment.