A pilot's life for us

Following the redevelopment of the National Breast Screening Computer System (NBSS), the Warwickshire, Solihull & Coventry Breast Screening Service agreed to act as a pilot site for the new software. After initially running the existing breast screening software in parallel with the new NBSS software, the system went 'live' on 26 September 2003.

The objectives of piloting the new software were as follows: assessing the database conversion, fault/error finding, identification of cosmetic issues, and assessment of ease of use.

Issues were identified by the screening office staff and logged on the pilot error log, which was submitted to Wealth Management Systems at weekly intervals. Wealth Management Systems discussed the log regularly with the National Project Team and prioritised each entry on the log. A fix for each log was then applied to the software and retested by the screening office staff.

Piloting the new software enabled staff to have an input into the development of the new software, gave them an insight into software development techniques and enabled them to improve working practices, particularly in terms of the 'Right Result' procedure.

From November 2003 the new software was rolled out to the breast screening field.