# NHSbuntu episode of Everything Digital Health **Category:** [NHoS/NHSbuntu](https://openhealthhub.org/c/nhos/35) **Created:** 2025-09-23 08:59 UTC **Views:** 367 **Replies:** 18 **URL:** https://openhealthhub.org/t/nhsbuntu-episode-of-everything-digital-health/2864 --- ## Post #1 by @pacharanero ### NHSbuntu with Rob Dyke I just thought this might be of interest to the community - Rob Dyke and I recently got together to chat about the NHSbuntu project from back in 2017, we recorded an episode of my YouTube channel Everything Digital Health which describes the project, how it came about, what we built, the problems we solved, and how the project ended. (Spoiler: it didn’t end well!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu0A8v_OqC4 Lots more information about NHSbuntu's project is available here on OpenHealthHub in the #nhos category --- ## Post #2 by @TCoates I’m delighted to see you guys are still just as bitter about this :slight_smile: please do keep it up. --- ## Post #3 by @shanemuk What might have been… smothered by sad bureaucracy, and now we’re still sucked into the Windows 11 vortex, Co-pilot and all. Any wonder I’m back to using my Psion 3a? --- ## Post #4 by @jon Funny you should say this now. We’ve created an Ubuntu build to drop onto old touchscreen hardware (not just ours) that can’t take Win11. Proving rather popular and scratching our itch of not putting otherwise perfectly serviceable kit into landfill. Getting some localities to understand what it is is surprisingly hard, though! --- ## Post #5 by @stephen I do hesitate to blame those who effectively killed it - I believe they too are in a position where they don’t feel they have a choice. In 2025 ‘Digital sovereignty’ is another good reason for a good solid distro suitable for the NHS or indeed any workplace. --- ## Post #6 by @pacharanero [quote="stephen, post:5, topic:2864"] In 2025 ‘Digital sovereignty’ is another good reason for a good solid distro suitable for the NHS or indeed any workplace. [/quote] Absolutely right @stephen If we were doing it again we would possibly aim at health and care more generally rather than focusing on 'NHS' - that would open up the market of private providers (who are possibly in a better position to switch OS) and other care-giving orgs. HealthyOS? Or similar? The namespace is pretty crowded around that - HealthOS and HealthcareOS are both already taken by projects which are **not an OS**. --- ## Post #7 by @pacharanero [quote="jon, post:4, topic:2864"] We’ve created an Ubuntu build to drop onto old touchscreen hardware [/quote] Great stuff @jon - has this been shared more widely in NHS IT circles? Because I recall a conversation on the Digital Health Networks about some massive 80" Microsoft Surface-based screen which couldn't be upgraded to Win11 so was going to be thrown away. They might be able to use your build. https://discourse.digitalhealth.net/t/microsoft-surface-hubs-win-11/62429 --- ## Post #8 by @shanemuk I had floated the name “carebuntu” a while back, but it was maybe a bit unwieldy. Clinux? --- ## Post #9 by @pacharanero Both Carebuntu and Clinux are pretty good! --- ## Post #10 by @shanemuk I think I had carebuntu.org and carebuntu.net registered at one point, but decided to let them go (a few years ago) --- ## Post #11 by @stephen Sadly Clinux is already Dentist CAD Software --- ## Post #12 by @john.salter How about “Woundows… 12” --- ## Post #13 by @stephen It seems like a trusted package repository of relevant apps is a necessary component. Sagemath does something interesting - they have a trusted repository for their domain - but no linux distro. Was something like this a part of the original project? Hospital IT depts would probably like to run their own repository of apps - much like the do with MDM solutions. So they can test new/updates against their standard builds to be sure deploying or updating an app wont cause problems. (and schedule updates so they are not disruptive) [quote="john.salter, post:12, topic:2864"] How about “Woundows… 12” [/quote] :rofl: --- ## Post #14 by @jon Tried to get it out there, but everyone is very heads-in at the minute worried about their own jobs. Doing 300 or so screens in the next couple of weeks, so maybe that’ll get some attention. Will ping the Surface people; thanks for the steer. --- ## Post #15 by @mattstibbs That sounds interesting… is it healthcare specific, or just a generic Ubuntu build? I’ve got an old Microsoft Surface tablet I’ve been trying to decide what to do with…! --- ## Post #16 by @jon Very much tailored for role. Essentially a minimal install for 24.04 server LTS with a lightweight desktop manager and Chromium that it starts up into Kiosk mode. The real effort was making it a zero-click unattended install and exposing enough through a touch only interface to allow end users to manage the bits they needed (TCL was awesome for the last bit). Not tried it on a Surface tbalet, but as chance would have it we’ve just had a handful returned after upgrades. Might have a tinker his afternoon :slight_smile: --- ## Post #17 by @Cotswoldsmaker Just watched the recording. Very interesting. I would be there in a flash if you start building and delivering CareBuntu (my fav name)! Mark --- ## Post #18 by @john.salter This needs full scale branding, Expert Peer Support - GuruBuntu Software support - RescueBuntu Problem logging - IssueBuntu Complaints - ArgueBuntu First release - BrandNewBuntu Compliments - ThankYouBuntu Annual conference - VunueBuntu Training - EduBuntu Somebody please stop me. --- ## Post #19 by @Cotswoldsmaker ✋ Stop says I! --- **Canonical:** https://openhealthhub.org/t/nhsbuntu-episode-of-everything-digital-health/2864 **Original content:** https://openhealthhub.org/t/nhsbuntu-episode-of-everything-digital-health/2864