Press release: NHS planning effective IT implementation

26 Jan 2004

NHS Managers are starting to plan effectively for the implementation of the National Programme for IT. This is a key finding of a survey by the NHS Confederation launched today in response to the signing of one of the final contracts for the National Programme.
The report found three quarters of NHS organisations have conducted or have plans to conduct an assessment of their organisational readiness for Electronic Booking and NHS Care Records Service, and three quarters have started or plan to start a clinical engagement programme.
Gary Fereday, Policy Manager at the NHS Confederation, said: "The findings show that NHS management is taking seriously concerns that the National Programme for IT isn't just about the kit, but about how that kit is used. By planning effectively, the potential that the National IT Programme can lead to fundamental changes in healthcare delivery can be realised.
"Clinical engagement with the programme is essential for ensuring that patients receive improved care pathways in the future. The fact that NHS organisations are putting clinical staff at the centre of their planning means that the NHS will be able to deliver world class healthcare that is fully responsive to the needs of patients.
"The programme still presents a major challenge to the NHS, where one in ten organisations still have no plans to assess their organisation's readiness to implement the IT programme and over 20 per cent haven't yet agreed how they will engage clinicians in the roll-out. However it is still early days and the NHS Confederation is confident that the NHS can meet the challenge head on. "
The survey also found that nine out of ten respondents had structures in place to co-ordinate implementation across the local health economy.

ENDS

Notes for editors

1. 573 NHS Organisations (including Acute Trusts and PCTs) in England were emailed questions to discover their readiness for the National Programme for IT in the NHS. 158 questionnaires were returned - a response rate of 28 per cent.
2. The NHS Confederation represents the organisations that make up the NHS. Our members include the majority of NHS trusts, primary care trusts and health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; trusts and NHS boards in Scotland; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.
   

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