Following on from the success of a pilot project, the Multi-Agency Internet Mapping Service (MAIGIS), the West Midlands Public Health Observatory commissioned the West Midlands Health GIS Service to develop a regional public health internet mapping service, based on the original site.

PHASE utilises geographical information systems and SQL server technologies to enable information held on a database to be presented in the form of thematic maps. These can be interrogated and manipulated on screen. The database can also be queried to produce tables and charts of the available information.

PHASE follows the philosophies of MAIGIS and will facilitate data sharing using geography and the internet. It will provide easy access to health and socio-economic statistics and will assist many organisations develop and prepare bids for funding. Simple themed maps enable comparative information to be displayed in a graphic that could take two pages to describe in words.

PHASE is due to be re-released soon.