National Vision User Group

The National Vision User Group is an independent non-profit making organisation supporting general practices that use the Vision, a Windows based software package used in Primary Health Care across the United Kingdom and supplied by INPS. It was established in 1984 and is the oldest independent user group in GP computing.

We work with the company providing user input and meet regularly with the senior management. Software developments are discussed with members through meeting of the National Panel. The NVUG also works with the BMA, RCGP, GPRD and other national organisations and was instrumental in establishing a forum for all user groups to meet with the BMA to discuss important issues.

The site contains information about the activities of the NVUG and the events we organise. You will find more information about us and details of how to join NVUG.

There is a members only section which contains a variety of resources including PowerPoint presentations from the National Conference and Roadshows, Clinical Audits & Guidelines written by NVUG members and details of how to use Access & Excel with Vision.

Structure and Organisation of the NVUG

The National Vision User Group (NVUG) was set up in 1984 by VAMP users as a forum for the exchange of ideas on GP Computing. From these beginnings it has grown into an influential body representing the users of Vision.

The User Group aims to represent all users of INPS primary care software  and, as the range of products increases, so does the diversity of our membership. While the majority of members are practices using the medical systems, other (associate) members include Primary Care Organisations and Health Authorities.

The User Group is actively involved in the management of the General Practice Research Database and has a representative on the Scientific and Ethical Group which vets its work. The GPRD, the foremost database of its kind in the world, is operated by the ONS (Office for National Statistics), under the control of the MCA (Medicines Control Agency), on behalf of the Department of Health.

Benefits of membership include:

• an arbitration service should problems arise with INPS or, for data providers, with the GPRD;
• discounted training for INPS training courses (four £15 discount vouchers per member practice);
• access to the members-only area of this web site;
• discount to the annual conference which equates to the cost of membership;
• and the knowledge that experienced and knowledgeable users, elected in an open and democratic manner, are actively involved in improving the computer systems which you use in your practices.