§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the cost of reprogramming650W or replacing computer systems in the NHS which are not millennium compliant; and if he has issued guidance to health authorities on how the expenditure involved should be kept within existing budgets. [17434]
§ Mr. MilburnThe likely cost to the National Health Service of ensuring that systems are millennium compliant is difficult to forecast accurately. Guidance has recently been issued to Chief Executives in the NHS outlining the action they are expected to take to deal with the millennium problem. Much of the work required is likely to be funded from budgets already allocated to supporting NHS information management and technology needs.