Articles and Speeches

IT is poorly in the NHS
14-Apr-06, Windsor Express Article.

IT can play a large part in helping huge organisation such as the NHS to run smoothly by improving bookings, allowing easier access to patient records and prescriptions to be provided online.

One really ought to have welcomed the Government’s 10 year programme to upgrade and modernise the IT systems used by the NHS.

However, many worried Windsor residents have contacted me because they are still unable to see their GP quickly or get a timely referral to a specialist.

So it is a huge disappointment to discover that the £6.2 billion IT system may not be up to the job. Several senior IT academics have criticised the programme for not being clearly thought through. It is also alarming that the new system has already experienced difficulties in pilot studies, with some patients being “lost in the system”.

The Government does not have a good record when it comes to delivering major IT projects. The Passport Office, Child Support Agency and Tax Credits System have all experienced major difficulties.

For the sake of patients, I hope that the Government will review the NHS system to make sure that it meets the needs of 24 hour healthcare.