Information governance is often seen as a barrier to sharing data across healthcare organisations. But at least one commissioning support unit (CSU) is managing information in a way that allows it and its customers to comprehensively map data flows and assets, quickly identify and mitigate any risks and ensure that vital information can be harnessed securely.

Wye Valley NHS Trust is the latest UK healthcare provider to sign up to an open source electronic patient record (EPR) after agreeing a five year service contract with pioneering software specialist IMS MAXIMS.

Google has announced the creation of a new parent company, Alphabet, and this strategy appears to target as well the healthcare business. Alphabet is described by Larry Page, as a collection of companies and the largest will remain Google. As examples were presented Google's health efforts: Life Sciences (glucose-sensing contact lens), and Calico (focused on longevity).

Healthbox, UCL Business and Numbers4Good, in partnership with Trafford Housing Trust, and backing from the Cabinet Office's Social Incubator Fund and Janssen Healthcare Innovation have announced that applications for the Health Social Innovators' Programme (HSI) are now open. The Health Social Innovators' Programme is looking to accelerate the growth of ground-breaking, early-stage social health ventures in order to stimulate innovation and create positive change in healthcare.

Advanced Health & Care (Advanced) today announces the launch of Staffplan Roster Version 5, the latest version of the software company's leading homecare rostering solution. The new version includes enhanced features and functionality to assist community care providers to increase financial transparency, improve communication and streamline legislative compliance processes.

CompuGroup Medical Italia SpA, a 100 percent subsidiary of the global leading eHealth company CompuGroup Medical AG (CGM), concluded a transaction to acquire Medicitalia Srl based in Savona, Italy. Medicitalia.it is the leading online portal for e-Health in Italy.

MedeAnalytics, a pioneer in healthcare analytics, has announced the appointment of Professor Simon Jones as Director and Chief Data Scientist. One of the leading authorities on healthcare intelligence, Professor Jones' mission is to help make predictive and preventative care a reality.