§ Dr. Glynasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps are being taken to put health authority computer records on a national basis; and what procedure is being adopted to enable health authorities to know the availability of beds in each category in other areas.
§ Mr. WhitneyWork is being undertaken centrally on a number of technical initiatives aimed at producing standards for communication between various types of computer systems in use in the National Health Service, in accordance with the Government's commitment to the adoption of Open Systems Interconnection (OSI). Nevertheless, the introduction of computerised record systems remains a matter for each health authority to determine in accordance with its own priorities.
Health authorities locally have access to a range of statistical information about other authorities, including bed availability and waiting lists held by regional health authorities and by the Department.