NAO wary of NHS 'white elephant'
Auditors warn that £20bn NHS IT programme could be a white elephant
The National Audit Office has warned that the £20bn NHS IT system overhaul
could become a white elephant unless ministers work harder to involve doctors
who will have to use the system.
According to The Guardian the NAO found that the scheme was two
years behind schedule, and was critical of the government’s efforts to involve
doctors in developing the costly package.
The government responded by promising that trials of the new software, which
will manage patient records and NHS care documents, will begin next year. The
state has also promised to set up a task force of doctors to develop the scheme
quickly.
Health minister Patricia Hewitt has maintained that the new Connecting for
Health programme will provide safer and faster care for patients.