NHS problem, in simple English
Correct me if I am wrong
The NHS problem, in simple English, “Women who should have had appointments for a final scan after their 70th birthday were not sent letters requesting they confirm attendance”
Last few months we saw people losing track of money because bank (TSB) IT system goes down for a week, and now a simple IT calculation that might have caused 270 women dying prematurely as a consequence.
IT systems putting companies/ organisation reputation on the line.
Hence let’s look whether NHS has an “Algorithm” problem OR "IF-ELSE" problem.
NHS is supposed to scan women every three years from Age of 50 till they are 70. Letters are not send as soon as you turn 50, it may be sent bit later OR you missed the appointment, then there will a reminder letter.
Now between 50 and 70, we can have 7 “three years steps”,
- 50(+) – 53
- 53(+) – 56
- 56(+) – 59
- 59(+) – 62
- 62(+) – 65
- 65(+) – 68
- 68(+) – 71
So there are seven three year brackets. But the computer program only considers you if you are between 50 and 70 for automatic three yearly scan process.
Now if you are in final bracket of [68+ – 71 ], and before the computer considered you hit age of 70, then you will be discarded.
For example
- You are supposed to get a final scan letter in April 2018
- But you turned 70 in February 2018,
- Then you will be discarded because you are 70, and hence not in 50- 70 range.
What if we considered age between 50 and 71, would it made it simpler to manage because now age and years brackets can be matched ?