§ 33. Mr. AllanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of new information systems for primary care groups in the years(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02. [81843]
§ Mr. Denham£20 million has been allocated to health authorities in 1999–2000 from the modernisation fund to support the initial information technology and informatics needs of primary care groups (PCGs).
No new information systems have been provided centrally to PCGs. Information management and technology guidance issued to PCGs in March 1999 established that the short term information needs of the PCGs would require them to make the best use of existing information systems and analytical skills.