HL Deb 03 December 2001 vol 629 c111WA
Baroness Noakes

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 13 November (WA72):

  1. (a) what proportion of laboratories and radiology departments will be capable of sending test results by NHS net by April 2002; and
  2. (b) what proportion of the total number of test results will be capable of being both sent and received by NHSnet by that date. [HL1552]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

All major suppliers of laboratory information systems and, where appropriate, "middleware" messaging suppliers are now in the final stages of developments to meet the messaging requirements for laboratory results. Initial implementations have been completed, and incremental roll-out across other laboratories will be progressed over the next few months. It is expected that over 30 per cent will be implemented by April 2002. The target for radiology reports is 2003, and no data is yet available for this.

Information is currently being collated from pathology and general practitioner systems suppliers on roll-out plans. This will indicate the timescales for results being both sent and received via NHSnet.