Re: Dumb Terminals.
The problem is that the NHS is riddled with 100's of unique applications and some of these are even home-grown. They rely on specific 'features' of the OS that might not exist in new versions.
It's a massive task to upgrade all of their PC's to a new OS because each and every one of these applications would need to be tested. Any issues found during testing would need to be flagged and handed back over to the software authors (if they still exist) and all problems resolved before they can upgrade. That takes time and resource, something that the NHS is struggling to meet.
In some cases, device running XP (or worse still Win2K - and yes they are still out there) are not exposed directly to the internet but of course they are still on the same network so could still be at risk. Removing access to the internet is one option but it's not enough...
I feel for the NHS but I also think they are being complacent. They have to do something because to do nothing essentially exposes them to financial penalties. And we will all pay for those indirectly...
BTW - I don't work for the NHS but I do work with them...
Biting the hand that feeds IT
