HC Deb 24 March 2004 vol 419 cc926-7W
Dr. Murrison

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the cost per individual of training and accrediting NHS staff with the European Computer Driving Licence for IT; and whether this estimate includes financial costs incurred through lost working hours; [161021]

(2) what the implications of the National Plan for IT in the NHS are for NHS staff who are unable to (a) demonstrate proficiency in IT and (b) obtain a European computer driving licence; [161022]

(3) which types of NHS staff will be required to obtain a European computer driving licence; [161023]

(4) how many NHS staff hold a recognised IT qualification for the purposes of working in the NHS; and whether such staff will be required to obtain a European computer driving licence; [161024]

(5) if he will estimate the number of NHS staff who will be required to obtain a European computer driving licence (ECDL); and whether staff who already have a recognised IT qualification will be required to obtain an ECDL. [161027]

Mr. Hutton

The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) is a qualification recognised around the world for basic computing skills. General information technology skills should be seen as an everyday requirement for any service based organisation. The opportunity to gain the ECDL qualification is offered to all staff working in the National Health Service. For NHS staff, it provides a basic level of knowledge, which enables people to demonstrate their competence in computer skills. The ECDL is completed in modules and designed to be completed over time and to fit in and around any other work requirements.

There is no formal requirement for NHS staff to hold the ECDL for the purpose of working in the NHS. As a matter of good practice, and as part of its commitment to life-long learning, the NHS encourages all staff to develop appropriate skills, including competency in the use of IT.

The national health informatics development team within the NHS Information Authority has put in place central facilities to support local NHS organisations in training needs around the ECDL. Since the programme was launched in March 2003, 9,000 people have qualified and a further 54,000 have registered. It is expected that up 40 per cent. of NHS staff will register over the five year timescale of the central programme. The central programme provides central support for registration and validation of ECDL training that would otherwise fall to individual NHS organisations and is expected to cost £15 million. It remains the responsibility of local NHS organisations to provide local facilities. Specific costs for ECDL training by individual members of staff are not identified.

Training, development and deployment of staff is a matter for local management. The NHS is an organisation committed to equal opportunities and valuing diversity therefore appropriate opportunities and support should be made available for all staff regardless of whether they hold an ECDL qualification or not.

The Government hope that training and skills development are regarded as an integral part of employment, and that time spent by staff on training for any recognised vocational skill is not identified as lost.