§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
In light of the recent survey of doctors by Medix, whether it is satisfactory that 86 per cent of respondents said that consultation with them about 131WA the NHS National Plan for information technology had been non-existent or inadequate; and [HL1349]
Whether the NHS National Plan for information technology, in so far as it may have failed to engage key stakeholders effectively in its development, is in breach of current minimum criteria introduced to attempt to avert failure of government information technology projects. [HL1350]
§ Lord WarnerThe results of the Medix survey show the importance of engaging the active support of practising clinicians. It is encouraging therefore that the same survey also shows a substantial level of support for the national programme. The great majority of respondents recognised the programme as an important priority for the National Health Service, and there was also strong support for improving investment in information technology for the NHS through the NPfIT.
As well as the national professional bodies and groups, the national programme team has engaged closely with expert primary care practitioners, including practising general practitioners, who are there to represent and feedback issues with their professional colleagues. As we move towards implementation of the national applications, systems and services the five regional implementation directors have undertaken extensive consultation with a range of NHS clinicians and managers. This is to ensure that as many people as possible are now engaged on the local plans to prepare for phased roll-out from April 2004.