Public Sector Roundup: Tech spreads information

Steria helps Cleveland Police go mobile

Cleveland Police have started up the Project CUPID (Cleveland Universal Police Information Device) with Steria to deliver mobile working solutions to 1,400 police officers.

The 7.9 million project is also delivered with Beat Systems and will allow the Cleveland Police to input information and data remotely, allowing them more time to spend in the field and on their beats.

The projects aim is to increase the speed and effectiveness of the Cleveland Police and will go live December 2008.

Becta launches new Next Generation website

Becta unveiled a Next Generation Learning Campaign website to encourage parents, learners and employers to get the most out of education technology.

The website will be a resource for schools and organisations to improve upon engagement and motivation and to see the results of technology usage.

One new feature is the ability to search for schools based on postcodes, to easily see which schools are not using technology effectively.

Stephen Crowe, chief executive of Becta said: "Our children, and all other learners, deserve a truly outstanding education and in the modern world this means we need all schools and learning providers to become effective and innovative users of technology."

The website is a part of a national campaign to use technology to support teaching. Another part of the campaign is giving all learners access to computers.

Department of Health funds new sudden cardiac death database

The database will include information on the occurrences and causes of sudden cardiac death patients, the Department of Health announced.

The database was developed by pathologists and cardiologists. It will be updated with each new case and is expected to give insight as to why the inherited heart conditions occur.

"This database will provide invaluable information for doctors on the causes, incidence and prevalence of sudden cardiac death," said Professor Roger Boyle, National Director for Heart Disease and Stroke. "As well as improving our understanding of inherited cardiovascular disease it will actually save lives by identifying young victims of sudden cardiac death and helping their families reduce their own risk."