HC Deb 16 June 1982 vol 25 c289W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what help is to be given to general practitioners and family practitioner committees to buy and develop computer systems; what systems will qualify for help; what alternatives were considered; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The Government are to make available up to £2.5 million for the development and purchase of computer systems for general medical practitioners and family practitioner committees.

The Government will finance the major part of the purchase and installation costs, and the maintenance costs for three years, of 150 microcomputers for selected general medical practices throughout the United Kingdom. The reamining costs will fall to be met by the practices concerned. Two microcomputer systems will be on offer, one from CAP Limited, the other from British Medical Data Systems Limited using a system developed by the South Western regional health authority's computer project team at Exeter. These two British companies were capable of installing the systems in a relatively short period at the start of the trial and were also considered able to support the installations nationally throughout the three-year period.

The funds will also be used to finance the computerisation of patient registration in two family practitioner committees and to help to finance the purchase of a cervical cytology recall, and the development of a cervical cytology recall module. The detailed arrangements have yet to be completed.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions he has had with the British Medical Association about choosing computer systems to help general practitioners and family practitioner committees.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The British Medical Association was consulted at the outset on the initiative which was announced by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Industry and Information Technology on 7 June. Two BMA representatives were appointed to a steering group which was set up to co-ordinate arrangements in respect of general practitioners.