§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what initiatives have been funded by his Department to promote greater sharing of medical facilities between PCTs and health authorities using the internet. [24677]
§ Mr. Hutton[holding answer 8 January 2002]: Through the Department's Project Connect programme all health authorities primary care trusts and general practitioner practices have been given access to NHSnet (and the internet) which enables them to communicate by e-mail and also to access remote applications.
NHSnet is the national health service's own secure intranet which has guaranteed levels of service quality that are not available on the internet.
In addition my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has confirmed that all PCTs will have a centrally funded 256,000 fixed link to NHSnet and the internet to enable them to utilise facilities such as teleconferencing and telemedicine.