Press Release - Department of Health: National Programme for IT
in the NHS
16 June 2006
The National Audit Office reported to Parliament today the
results of its examination of the National Programme for IT in the
NHS.
The Programme’s scope, vision and complexity are wider and more
extensive than any ongoing or planned healthcare IT programme in
the world and it represents the largest single IT investment in the
UK to date. It is designed to deliver important financial, patient
safety and service benefits.
According to today’s report by head of the NAO Sir John Bourn,
the main implementation phase of the Programme and the realisation
of benefits are mainly a matter for the future and it will
therefore be some time before it is possible fully to assess the
value for money of the Programme, as this will depend on the
progress made in developing and using the systems it is intended to
provide. It is therefore important for taxpayers and patients that
this investment pays off, and for the Programme to be well managed
and open to public scrutiny. Accordingly, the NAO has examined the
progress to date in delivering the systems against the original
plans and the costs of the Programme; the steps taken by the
Department, NHS Connecting for Health and the NHS to deliver the
Programme; how the IT systems have been procured; and how the NHS
is preparing to use the systems delivered.
The NAO found that the Department and NHS Connecting for Health
have made substantial progress with the Programme. Successful
implementation of the Programme nevertheless continues to present
significant challenges for the Department, NHS Connecting for
Health and the NHS, especially in three key areas:
- Ensuring that the IT suppliers continue to deliver systems that
meet the needs of the NHS, and to agreed timescales without further
slippage.
- Ensuring that NHS organisations can and do fully play their
part in implementing the Programme’s systems.
- Winning the support of NHS staff and the public in making the
best use of the systems to improve services.
Sir John Bourn said today:
“Substantial progress has been made with the National
Programme for IT. The Programme promises to revolutionise the way
in which the NHS uses information to improve services and patient
care. But significant challenges remain for the Department and NHS
Connecting for Health.”
Notes for Editors
- Press notices and reports are available from the date of
publication on the NAO website, which is at www.nao.org.uk. Hard
copies can be obtained from The Stationery Office on 0845 702
3474.
- The Comptroller and Auditor General, Sir John Bourn, is the
head of the National Audit Office which employs some 800 staff. He
and the NAO are totally independent of Government. He certifies the
accounts of all Government departments and a wide range of other
public sector bodies; and he has statutory authority to report to
Parliament on the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which
departments and other bodies have used their resources.
Press Notice 46/06
All enquiries to Barry Lester, NAO Press Office: Tel: 020 7798
7937
Mobile: 07748 181 692