Mr Seán Ward, Chief Officer Wolverhampton CHC

Ms Eleanor Beardsley, Development Officer, West Midlands CHCs

Mr Garry Webb, IT Support Officer, West Midlands CHCs

Mrs Sandra Attef, Chief Officer, Coventry CHC

Mrs Jennifer Knowles, Chief Officer, Kidderminster & District CHC

Mrs Anna Lane, Chief Officer, South Birmingham CHC

Mrs Moira Morris, Deputy Chief Officer, Bromsgrove & Redditch CHC

Mrs Anne Lecesse, Administratrative Officer, Worcester CHC

Mrs Christine Longstaff, Deputy Chief Officer, North East Warwickshire CHC

Mrs Jane Steward, Administrative Officer, Walsall CHC.

Mrs Pamela Paradise, Deputy Chief Officer, Shropshire CHC

• Provide a workgroup to discuss, plan and put into motion plans and strategies for the IT development of West Midlands CHCs.
• Provide funding for IT development including the purchase of new computers, printers and essential software.
• Provide hardware and software support via both external and internal sources. Hardware support is supplied by First Class Technologies. Software support is supplied by our IT Support Officer Garry Webb.
• Provide training for CHC Chief Officers and staff. Training is provided by both Garry Webb and by out-sourcing to third party training organisations. Privately organised courses are also funded upon approval of the group.
• Publish supporting documents, guides and a regular newsletter called "IT4U" which was developed by Garry Webb.

• The connection of West Midlands CHCs to the Internet for its electronic communications requirements. Each CHC now has its own e-mail address and 5 megabytes of World Wide Web space. These connections have been paid for by the group. Eleanor Beardsley will also be connected to the Internet.
• The signing of a hardware maintenance contract with First Class Technologies. As of February 1^st 1998 all West Midlands CHCs are covered against computer failure. The group has paid for one year's cover as a trial of the system.
• The drawing up of West Midlands CHCs IT Protocols, IT Strategy and other important documents to provide a framework for CHC IT development.

• To continue to meet to discuss real and potential problems with information technology and CHCs and to drawn upon expert advice and support as necessary.
• To upgrade or replace computers, essential software and printers that are no longer viable based on our purchasing policies.
• To look into the year 2000 problems and advise CHCs on necessary procedures to eradicate or minimise disruption and system down time. Garry Webb will be testing computers and software for yr2000 compatibility and will report back to the group for discussion and future planning.
• To increase IT awareness in CHCs with training, information packs etc.
• To help CHCs to employ people with disabilities.
• Funding:

Mr Seán Ward is the budget holder to the group and is responsible for purchases made by the group for West Midlands CHCs. Garry Webb is our budget manager as part of his role as Support Officer. Our budget sheets can be downloaded from this site from the ITSG documents download page.

The group meets bi-monthly at a West Midlands CHC office. Anyone wishing to attend such a meeting should contact Garry Webb formally. These meetings are closed to the public unless invited.

Please complete the IT Support Group CHC poll