§ Mr. MossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures the Department of Health and Social Services is taking to ensure that equipment in general practitioner surgeries will be millennium compliant by 31 December. [49981]
§ Mr. WorthingtonThe Department has written to all GP practices to raise awareness of the Year 2000 issues. It has also facilitated the establishment by the 4 Health and Social Services boards of a special inter-Board Year260W 2000 Primary Care Group to co-ordinate action and advice necessary to ensure a proper response to the Year 2000 problem across the whole of primary care.
Guidance on Year 2000 has already been issued to all GP practices and further guidance specified to embedded systems in GP practices is currently being prepared for issue.
The inter-Board group is arranging for a detailed Year 2000 audit of selected exemplar practices. Results from this audit will be used to inform other practices and will provide a basis for awareness-training for practice staff during Autumn 1998.
A detailed questionnaire has been issued by HSS Boards to each GP practice seeking information by end-July 1998 on Year 2000 compliance progress.
The Department will continue to monitor Boards' progress in respect of GP practice Year 2000 compliance.