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Photos: First look at Microsoft's NHS software
See the £40m prototype interface

By Gemma Simpson

Published: Thursday 08 March 2007

Microsoft has unveiled a 'tailored' version of its Windows operating system to be used by National Health Service workers.

The Common User Interface (CUI) is only halfway through its four year development project but Microsoft has been showing off some working prototypes of the software.

Microsoft is offering the interface at a discounted price and claims the NHS will see £300m worth of procurement savings. The company also says the interface runs on any operating system - even Linux.

Andrew Kirby, director of NHS engagement at Microsoft, said the CUI puts the "NHS-ness in the Microsoft Office software".

Kirby added that it takes concepts from Microsoft's software to improve ease of use and limit training costs while not breaching patient security.

Pictured above is the patient overview screen which a doctor or nurse will see when they log on to a person's profile.

Photo credit: Microsoft