Relational database technology in healthcare--the way forward.

Recognition of the need to manage a complex healthcare environment more precisely has significantly expanded the demand for management information. Present government initiatives such as resource management and the White Papers proposals for the NHS have increased the demands on health authorities to provide more detailed reporting and accounting of resources. Effective information handling is thus becoming the key for a growing number of health authorities and hospitals, combined with easy access to up-to-date information for resource management and consistent, planned treatment programmes.