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Prof Joe McDonald

@comparesoftware.bsky.social
226 followers 266 following 52 posts

Psychiatrist, NHS Trust Medical Director, Founder Great North Care Record, National Clinical Lead for IT, Digital Health Transformation Specialist, UX expert.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Prof Joe McDonald
Marcus Baw @marcusbaw.com · 09/06/2026
#NHS England's spending is out of control. This is permanent Microsoft lock-in. The article describes Copilot being used for very 'clinical-sounding' tasks - what could possibly go wrong? "NHS prescribes half a million Copilot licenses for its paperwork headache" www.theregister.com/ai-and-ml/20...
theregister.com
NHS prescribes half a million Copilot licenses for its paperwork headache
After a trial claimed chatbot saved staff 43 minutes a day, NHS England has decided it's time to supersize the experiment
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Reposted by Prof Joe McDonald
Marcus Baw @marcusbaw.com · 03/06/2026
The NHS IT cycle of self-harm: 1 Ensure organisational knowledge is never written down, and is only in people's heads. 2 Make all the people redundant so your organisational knowledge is gone. 3 Do a 'discovery' to find out organisational knowledge your org used to have. GOTO 1
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Marcus Baw @marcusbaw.com · 21/04/2026
This has to be the end for the #Palantir #FDP A damning editorial in the BMJ Streeting: Make your move. Pick your side. www.bmj.com/content/393/... @coricrider.com @doctorow.pluralistic.net @comparesoftware.bsky.social @adebyrne.bsky.social @helensalisbury.bsky.social @bengoldacre.bsky.social
bmj.com
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Marcus Baw @marcusbaw.com · 03/04/2026
Nice one @comparesoftware.bsky.social ! I highly recommend reading Joe's book - it's plain speaking (unlike most of the healthcare tech literature) and it's essential reading whether you're a startup CEO or a CCIO or just curious as to how we could have made so little progress for so much money.
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Reposted by Prof Joe McDonald
Marcus Baw @marcusbaw.com · 03/04/2026
And if you want a quick intro to the book, here's Joe on Everything Digital Health last year taking about his booook youtu.be/sWzORLTtVck
youtu.be
FHIR and Loathing in Las Vegas - with Joe McDonald
YouTube video by Everything Digital Health
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Happy Easter folks. My tragicomic book "FHIR and Loathing in Las Vegas" about 2 decades in Health IT is free to download this weekend only. @waldo.net @marcusbaw.com www.amazon.co.uk/FHIR-Loathin...
amazon.co.uk
FHIR and Loathing in Las Vegas
Buy FHIR and Loathing in Las Vegas by McDonald, Prof Joe (ISBN: 9798266076525) from Amazon's Book Store. Free UK delivery on eligible orders.
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Reposted by Prof Joe McDonald
HL7 UK @hl7uk.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Will you be reading FHIR and Loathing in Las Vegas from @comparesoftware.bsky.social? @roylilley1.bsky.social shares his thoughts in today's essential reading! #FHIR myemail.constantcontact.com/I-did.html?s...
myemail.constantcontact.com
I did
Email from nhsManagers.net Sushi chef View as Webpage Share This Email Share This Email Share This Email Latest Health News Weather IHSCM Academy of Fab' Stuff nhsManagers.net 30th October 2025 Exclus
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 24/10/2025
amzn.eu/d/4F0rhUt My ebook is free to download til midnight tonight. 20 years of Health IT experience for free! @publicdigital.bsky.social @dhrewired.bsky.social @nhsemployers.bsky.social @nhsmillion.bsky.social @nhsenglandceo.bsky.social @nhsengland.bsky.social
amzn.eu
FHIR and Loathing in Las Vegas : McDonald, Prof Joe: Amazon.co.uk: Books
FHIR and Loathing in Las Vegas : McDonald, Prof Joe: Amazon.co.uk: Books
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
I published a book this week amzn.eu/d/5x0oIXJ
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Reposted by Prof Joe McDonald
Marcus Baw @marcusbaw.com · 15/03/2025
If you enjoyed that discussion with @adebyrne.bsky.social then you'll probably also love the "'Make Medicine Fun Again' with Joe McDonald - HIMSS 2025 and Ambient AI Assistants" chat I had just a few days before, with @comparesoftware.bsky.social youtu.be/2gB8FAn_FK8
youtu.be
'Make Medicine Fun Again' with Joe McDonald - HIMSS 2025 and Ambient AI Assistants
YouTube video by Everything Digital Health
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Reposted by Prof Joe McDonald
Waldo Jaquith @waldo.net · 11/03/2025
Feds have to take annual trainings about document retention and classified-materials markings. I’ve probably received this training a half-dozen times. And what we learn is that *wow is this not allowed even a little bit*. www.nytimes.com/2025/03/11/u...
nytimes.com
U.S.A.I.D. Official Orders Employees to Shred or Burn Classified and Personnel Records
A union representing career diplomats demanded that the aid agency follow the law stated in the Federal Records Act. Some documents could be relevant in court cases.
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
The deal? Putin"I want Zelensky, Macron& Starmer all humiliated on live primetime TV on consecutive nights, and then Zelensky fired, apprentice style. I keep what we've taken but promise I won't take the rest of the Ukraine until after your term is up." Trump:"ok" #theartofthedeal
media.tenor.com
a close up of a person 's face with the words " the horror , the horror " written below it
ALT: a close up of a person 's face with the words " the horror , the horror " written below it
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
God help us. Trump thinks being president is the same as running an episode of The Apprentice.
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
ow.ly/PcaC50V4hBy new job at The Access Group, talk to me about it at Rewired @dhrewired.bsky.social
ow.ly
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 18/02/2025
A Single Patient Record. What could possibly go wrong?
media.tenor.com
a man is laying his head on a desk with his hands on the desk .
Alt: a man is laying his head on a desk with his hands on the desk .
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Reposted by Prof Joe McDonald
Waldo Jaquith @waldo.net · 12/02/2025
By reputation, of course! At 18F we were always acutely aware we were following in the footsteps of GDS.
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 12/02/2025
Demos not memos, I can't believe I've just discovered you @waldo.net . I guess you know @tomski.com already?
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Dr Kathryn Mannix @drkathrynmannix.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
I'll be spending March in New Zealand. It's a whistle-stop, 4-week tour, visiting palliative care colleagues, hospices & EoL doulas. I am so excited! I'll share the itinerary as soon as it's all confirmed. Hope to meet some Kiwi followers soon 🤞🏼🇳🇿
Photo of a metal monument in Nelson, New Zealand, based on Maori unfurling fern symbols.
Writing beside it reads
'Only 4 weeks until my trip to New Zealand.'Photo of a metal monument in Nelson, New Zealand, based on Maori unfurling fern symbols.
Writing beside it reads
'I'll be visiting palliative care colleagues over a 4 week tour.'
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
Talking 10 year plans with @marcusbaw.bsky.social in The British Virgin Islands @dhrewired.bsky.social @digitalhealth2.bsky.social
A beautiful sunset with boats in the Caribbean
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Reposted by Prof Joe McDonald
Tom Loosemore @tomski.com · 06/01/2025
The unmissable double act of @pahlkadot.bsky.social and @andrewgreenway.bsky.social published this @niskanencenter.bsky.social report on re-invigorating state capacity just before Xmas. Deliberately US centric, leavened by some UK flourishes. public.digital/pd-insights/...
public.digital
The how we need now: a capacity agenda for 2025 and beyondpublic digitalpublic digital
Report by Andrew Greenway and Jennifer Pahlka
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 07/01/2025
I suspect Elon Musk's outrageous tweets are a direct response to the risk posed by @bsky.app @dhrewired.bsky.social @digitalhealth2.bsky.social @nhsemployers.bsky.social @publicdigital.bsky.social
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Reposted by Prof Joe McDonald
Marcus Baw @marcusbaw.com · 02/01/2025
Starting 2025 with a short thread of my favourite, must-watch, YouTube video recommendations for anyone in Digital Health, HealthTech, Clinical Informatics, or trying to change culture in large organisations. Don't do ANYTHING else until you've watched ALL of them.
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Reposted by Prof Joe McDonald
Marcus Baw @marcusbaw.com · 02/01/2025
Next is Jerry Harvey's 1982 talk about the Abilene Paradox - the way organisations (couples, businesses, governments) often end up taking a course of action which is opposed to their interests. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFQ-... This one came via my good friend @comparesoftware.bsky.social
youtube.com
Abilene Paradox, DR. HARVEY, 1981
YouTube video by Ja A
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Reposted by Prof Joe McDonald
Lyn Whitfield @lynwhitfield.bsky.social · 01/01/2025
The Millennium Bug says "hi" and Happy New Year 25 years on!
A soft toy sold as a millennium bug during the Y2K scare at the start of the 2000s. Very appealing with a nice smile and bobbly antennae.
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 31/12/2024
Happy new year to all. Here's a ghost of Christmas past #digitalhealth #interoperability #FHIR www.digitalhealth.net/2022/12/joes...
digitalhealth.net
Joe’s View: Out of the darkest Christmas
An annual tradition, this year's Joe McDonald Christmas column looks at Christmas past, present and future regarding NHS pressures, IT and digital health.
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Reposted by Prof Joe McDonald
Newcastle United @newcastleunited.com · 30/12/2024
GET INNNNNN! 🙌
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 27/12/2024
A number one rant on @digitalhealth2.bsky.social this year www.digitalhealth.net/2024/12/digi...
digitalhealth.net
Digital Health’s 2024 Review: Top 10 most read opinion pieces
Although no single theme dominates, several of the best-read opinion pieces reflected on the risks of digital, writes Thelma Agnew.
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Reposted by Prof Joe McDonald
Kanthan Theivendran @ktheivendran.bsky.social · 26/12/2024
It is a great collaboration. I think interopen in the U.K. could be a good vehicle to do the same www.interopen.co.uk/news/publica...
interopen.co.uk
Publication of UK Core Access API Vision
Added at request of David Hancock on 18/12/24
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 26/12/2024
Interoperability is a global problem but Australia have put together a community, "Sparked" to fix it. Should the NHS do similar or just join in? youtu.be/Vr4YlyoO_Ak?...
youtu.be
455 - Practical Steps to Healthcare Interoperability: Conversations with Sparked FHIR Experts
YouTube video by Talking HealthTech
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 24/12/2024
It never occurred to me that Santa would start bringing tiny bikes again
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 23/12/2024
This year's Christmas offering has an Aussie twist www.digitalhealth.net/2024/12/a-ve... @michaelhoskins.bsky.social @digitalhealth2.bsky.social @tomski.com
digitalhealth.net
A very Aussie Christmas
Joe Mcdonald is in Melbourne for the festive season. And it isn’t just the heat that feels like a welcome change. He’s impressed by the Aussie approach to interoperability
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
Merry Christmas to all my followers on Bluesky
My beautiful 2 year old granddaughter in front of the Christmas tree.
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 21/12/2024
I have been writing a festive digital health column for @digitalhealth2.bsky.social since 2012 www.digitalhealth.net/2012/12/joes... #digitalhealth #NPfIT #EPR #UX
digitalhealth.net
Joe’s view of Christmas past, present and future
Joe McDonald has seen the future of NHS IT – in a GP surgery. And there’s a pint waiting at the Trent House in Newcastle, if anybody wants one.
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Reposted by Prof Joe McDonald
Ethical Healthcare Consulting @ethicalhealthcare.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
🎁 Here's to another year! We have launched 3 new services, got stuck in with 37 projects, supported the national EPR Usability Survey, and welcomed 33 new people to Ethical! 💖 Thank you to all the incredible clients that we work hand-in-hand with to deliver positive and meaningful social impact.
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
www.digitalhealth.net/2022/12/joes... Here's an old Christmas column for @digitalhealth2.bsky.social New one coming soon?
digitalhealth.net
Joe’s View: Out of the darkest Christmas
An annual tradition, this year's Joe McDonald Christmas column looks at Christmas past, present and future regarding NHS pressures, IT and digital health.
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Reposted by Prof Joe McDonald
Digital Health @digitalhealth2.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
NHS England has launched a review of digital clinical safety standards, requesting input from NHS stakeholders, IT manufacturers and those involved in digital risk assessment. Full story 👉 ow.ly/kNOn50UthVk
ow.ly
NHS England launches digital clinical safety standards review
NHS England has launched a review of digital clinical safety standards, requesting input from NHS stakeholders and IT manufacturers.
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
@marcusbaw.bsky.social making the case for open source #digitalhealth #opensource #procurement
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Let's Do Digital @letsdodigital.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
🎄✨ Christmas Special with Dr. Marcus Baw: Unwrapping the Power of Open Source in Healthcare! ✨🎄 On 18th December, 6-7 pm, join us at Let's Do Digital for a festive webinar with Dr. Marcus Baw, where we’ll delve into the role of open source software in the NHS. www.cognitoforms.com/LetsDoDigita...
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Prof Joe McDonald @comparesoftware.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
Oh God, and then there were 2....
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Digital Health @digitalhealth2.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
The main GP software supplier for Scotland, In Practice Systems Limited (INPS), has voluntarily placed itself under administration owing to financial difficulties. Full story 👉 ow.ly/MguN50UsrOv
ow.ly
Scotland’s main GP software supplier goes into administration
The main GP software supplier for Scotland has voluntarily placed itself under administration owing to financial difficulties.
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Dr Louise Schaper @drlouiseschaper.bsky.social · 14/12/2024
OpenEvidence is free and unlimited for health professionals. Have you used it? #AI #AIinMedicine www.forbes.com/sites/spence...
forbes.com
How AI Is Changing The Way Doctors Access Medical Knowledge
Throughout history, doctors have shifted how they access medical knowledge from their minds to paper to digital tools. AI is the next step in this evolution.
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Mark O’Neill 🐻 @radiobeartime.com · 11/12/2024
A very good point. As a patient I have at least 4 separate apps to juggle. MyChart/Epic for one hospital NHS app for hospital two GP app Pharmacy app. I’m a skilled digital ursine but it’s a pain knowing just exactly what my treatment pathway is at a glance.
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Tom Loosemore @tomski.com · 11/12/2024
Delighted to see a govt advisor saying that no NHS Trust should buy the next gen of the EPIC patient record system until it's fully interoperable with the likes of the NHS App. Such robust market shaping is essential to join up services for patients. www.pslhub.org/blogs/entry/...
pslhub.org
‘Don’t buy Epic’ unless it integrates with NHS App, says government adviser
The NHS should no longer do business with leading tech supplier Epic unless future iterations of its technology work with the NHS App, a senior government adviser has warned. Professor Paul Corrigan w...
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Dr Louise Schaper @drlouiseschaper.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
How do we ensure adoption of data and interoperability standards? Basically it will move to being a condition of entry. We have an ethical and moral obligation to do better - patients/consumers deserve access to their health records and to trust they are accurate and complete. 😊 #Sparked #FHIR #HL7
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Dr Louise Schaper @drlouiseschaper.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
I doubt there will be '1 #EHR to rule them all' because whats more important are systems that are #interoperable and, thankfully, that's where healthcare is heading globally #FHIR #Sparked, away from proprietary systems where #informationblocking is a core component of an outdated business model (2)
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Dr Louise Schaper @drlouiseschaper.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
So proud of the Aust govt leadership connecting standards to improved health outcomes. Daniel McCabe gets it and he has mobilised a huge community to make it happen #Sparked #FHIR #digitalhealth
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Dr Louise Schaper @drlouiseschaper.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Welcome to Bluesky to the person i like to think of as the ‘firework’ behind health data standards and all things #Sparked Kate Ebrill! 🥳 @kebrill.bsky.social
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Digital Health @digitalhealth2.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have announced the opening of an integrated diagnostic service, in partnership with health tech firm Answer Digital. Full story 👉 ow.ly/azQN50UoeN2
ow.ly
Gateshead and Newcastle launch integrated diagnostic service
Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have launched an integrated diagnostic service.
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Digital Health @digitalhealth2.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
Exclusive: Digital Health News can reveal the membership of the key group leading strategy on data and technology for the NHS 10 year health plan. Full story 👉 ow.ly/wMcp50UntmF
ow.ly
Members of data and tech group for 10 year health plan revealed
Exclusive: Digital Health reveals the membership of the key group leading strategy on data and technology for the NHS 10 year health plan.
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Gil Carter @thegilcarter.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
Was great to have you in the room for the recent Melbourne #sparked workshops Joe.
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