SNOMED CT clinical language to be adopted across NHS

A common clinical language is to be adopted across all UK healthcare settings and organisations in order to improve communication and information exchange processes within the NHS.

The Department of Health has announced that the SNOMED Clinical Terms (CT) healthcare terminology has been chosen as a fundamental standard for NHS organisations, independent providers and information system suppliers.

A multilingual system available in more than 50 countries, SNOMED CT is already widely used in the UK and can help to ensure that vital data pertaining to patient care is exchanged safely and accurately.

It utilises terms that are easy to understand both for clinicians and patients and will also help to avoid confusion when using automated systems.

Health minister Simon Burns said: "A common clinical language means nurses and doctors in all care settings can deliver a more effective and safer healthcare system."

Earlier this month, the Department of Health announced that it will be launching a new project to tackle avoidable medicine wastage within the NHS over the coming months.