iPads for NHS meetings

NHS Orkney has introduced the use of iPads for members to use in board meetings, and this is now being rolled out across the whole organisation. It is estimated that this will save £28,000 a year in printing and associated costs.

John Ross Scott, board chair at NHS Orkney, told the Guardian: “Initially, in February and March, we undertook a pilot study using five non-executive directors, including myself, as guinea pigs.

“In April, when we took the decision to go 'paper light,' we thought there would be a flurry of concern from the local community, but they seemed to get the message that the route we are taking will help improve performance and make savings.

“A 'spend to save' initiative was put into play using capital resources to purchase iPads and we removed printers from desks, cleared out our stores of printing material and instilled in board members the need for them to use technology and reject paper use.”

The iPads have been found to be easier to use than computers due the battery life span. The organisation is also working to ensure that security of data is not compromised. Members currently access documents through a secure intranet site.