HC Deb 30 June 2003 vol 408 c156W
Tim Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has provided to the South West IT procurement team for financial advice and expertise from Partnerships UK. [120373]

Mr. Hutton

The Department has not provided funds to the South West IT procurement team for advice from Partnerships UK. Partnerships UK provided general financial advice and expertise, including advice to the Shires on the closure of the procurement. This advice was provided as part of their work on the National Programme for Information Technology in the national health service.

Tim Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on supporting and assessing the Shires Acute and Community Hospital EPR Procurement Programme. [120374]

Mr. Hutton

The Department of Health has supported the Shires Acute and Community Hospital electronic patient record (EPR) procurement programme with a one-off contribution of £350,000.