§ Dr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost to the NHS of purchasing and maintaining the Exeter system and the number of eligible schemes that have yet to have access to the system; and if he will give details of future plans he has to improve access to and the efficiency of the system. [27026]
§ Mr. MilburnThe Exeter System is supported by the Family Health Systems (FHS) organisation, which is part of the National Health Service Executive. The cost of maintaining and supporting the system for all health authorities in England and Wales was £5.8 million for 1997–98. Development costs vary annually according to business requirements stemming from legislative and policy changes.
We will be considering the longer term future of the Exeter System in the context of the changes set out in "The New NHS, Modern and Dependable" White Paper.