HC Deb 29 July 1998 vol 317 cc381-2W
Miss Widdecombe

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the planned timescale for the verification of equipment replaced or altered in order to achieve year 2000 compliance for all systems within the Health Service and his Department. [53179]

Mr. Milburn

Chief Executives of health authorities and trusts have been instructed to ensure that by 31 December 1998 they have identified and resourced effective solutions for all Year 2000 problems that would otherwise compromise the safety of patients and staff, and the continuity of services.

In addition, chief executives have been instructed to ensure that by 30 September 1999 all parts of the National Health Service are fully prepared with compliant equipment or effective contingency plans in place.

The Department plans to complete Year 2000 compliance testing on all business critical systems by September 1999.

The plans were analysed by the Central Information Technology Unit and the Central Communications Technology Agency and their conclusions reported to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. He arranged for the completed questionnaires and a summary to be placed in the Library and published on the internet. An update on the progress by the Department will be available in the autumn.