HC Deb 15 January 1985 vol 71 cc116-7W
Mr. Sims

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether resources will be made available for the implementation of the Arthur Anderson strategy for using computers in family practitioners services' administration.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Yes. £2.2 million has been allocated for 1985–86, and we hope to make a good start on strategy implementation in order to improve administrative efficiency in the family practitioner services and give a better base for improvements in patient care.

Early priorities will include work on a new integrated computer system for patient registration; and on systems to enable the Dental Estimates Board to deal more quickly and economically with claims for payment.

We also hope to develop experimental links between pharmacy computers and the Prescription Pricing Authority.