HC Deb 14 April 1993 vol 222 c608W
Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on Government policy on the development of the RISP project by Wessex regional health authority.

Mr. Sackville

As the district auditor made clear in his report published in July 1992, the RISP project was characterised by a lack of project and management control. The Government accept this judgment, as does Wessex regional health authority, which has taken extensive remedial action.

The Department launched a national information management and technology strategy in December 1992. A key component is the need for health authorities to assess all proposed IT investment against an approved criteria to ensure that future IM and T investment obtains value for money.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the state of discussions between her Department and the Wessex regional health authority on the RISP project.

Mr. Sackville

Officials from the Department continue to have discussions with Wessex regional health authority on a range of matters including RISP, which was abandoned in April 1990.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place in the Library all correspondence from Ministers to the Wessex regional health authority on the subject of RISP from 1 January 1989 to the present; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Sackville

A copy of the correspondence has been placed in the Library.