HC Deb 18 December 1997 vol 303 cc332-4W
Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the recent report by Professor Mike Smith of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, on the issue of the millennium problem in the NHS; and if he will make a statement. [21528]

Mr. Milburn

There is no justification for the assumptions on which the statement that up to 1,500 deaths will be caused directly by the Millennium problem was made. In many cases the basis of the figures used is unclear, and in others the figures are out of date.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what monies will be made available to the NHS from the contingency reserve to ensure millennium computer compliance; and if he will make a statement. [21523]

Mr. Milburn

None is planned.

At the present time it is assumed that Year 2000 activities throughout the National Health Service will be financed from existing budgets.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what millennium computer compliance problems have arisen to date within(a) his Department and (b) the NHS, and if he will make a statement. [21529]

Mr. Milburn

In the Department of Health the only problem in operational systems has arisen in electronic diary systems.

The only problems so far identified in the National Health Service have been in Patient Administration Systems, appointment booking and recall modules, where appointments are being made for dates after 31 December 1999. This problem has been addressed by making such appointments manually.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of resolving the embedded chip problem in the NHS; what proportion of the NHS information technology systems budget he estimates this will represent; and if he will make a statement; [21524]

(2) what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS of ensuring millennium computer compliance; and if he will make a statement. [21525]

Mr. Milburn

No estimates have yet been made.

Information should become available after 31 March 1998 when each separate National Health Service Organisation will have completed detailed project plans, detailed inventory and budget estimates.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what risks to NHS patients will arise from(a) the millennium computer compliance problem and(b) the embedded chip problem; what steps he will take to ensure the safety of patients; and if he will make a statement. [21526]

Mr. Milburn

Because of the nature of its work, many failures of computer-based equipment in the National Health Service are potentially life threatening and contingency plans are in place to cope with such problems. The NHS Executive's Year 2000 Programme is working to eliminate risk through the identification and management of potential risks.

The millennium problem is an example of such a potential failure with the advantage that the problem is well known, clearly defined and with a long lead time. It is a priority for NHS Organisations to develop contingency plans. As such, the risk to patient safety is likely to be minimal.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce a model working plan for NHS trusts for dealing with the millennium problem and embedded chip problem; and if he will make a statement. [21527]

Mr. Milburn

Good practice guidance was issued to the National Health Service in October 1997 which identified the management actions needed to address the problem. More detailed guidance will be released to all NHS Year 2000 project managers by the end of December 1997.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department has current dealings with(a) non-governmental organisations and (b) suppliers which are not millennium compliant; and on what date his Department will cease to deal with (i) non-governmental organisations and (ii) suppliers which are not millennium compliant. [20533]

Mr. Milburn

[holding answer 12 December 1997]: All new contracts for the supply of goods and services to the Department and its Agencies will include a clause requiring the supplier to be millennium compliant or to provide goods that are millennium compliant. The Department will not enter into new contracts without this assurance.

Where millennium compliance is necessary, the relevant existing suppliers have been asked to insert a new clause into their contracts with the Department, or to provide an assurance, that they, or the goods they supply, are millennium compliant. The Department will cease to deal at the appropriate time with existing suppliers who cannot provide this assurance.