§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration is being given to possible use of the Internet or other E-mail system in order further to improve care in the community for the elderly, the disabled and other housebound people; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. BowisThe provision of community care services is a matter for local health and social services authorities. Where they are exploring the use of information technology we would encourage them to share their experience widely with other authorities.
The Department is currently putting in place a national health service-wide networking infrastructure to support all electronic communications, including E-mail, throughout the NHS in England. The extent to which electronic communications are used should be decided in the light of whether it is a cost effective way of improving patient care. All connections to NHS-wide networking factilities, either directly or through other networks such as the Internet and those run by social services, will have to meet national technical, security and confidentiality standards.