The man in charge of engaging the medical profession
with the largest public sector IT programme in the world has
announce he will leave the job next year.
Professor Aidan Halligan, senior joint responsible owner for the
National Programme for IT in the NHS was appointed in March to
communicate the benefits of the programme to doctors and other
medical staff.
NPfIT applications such as the care records service, which aims
to provide electronic health records for 50 million people in
England, will require changes in the working routines of medical
staff to be carefully managed.
Halligan's departure comes after professor Peter Hutton, who had
been clinical lead for NPfIT stepped down as head of the National
Clinical Advisory Board in April citing the need for greater
clarity "over arrangements over clinical input into the NPfIT".
Next April Halligan will become the new chief executive officer
for the Irish Health Service Executive.
"This is a fantastic once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me," he
said.
"To be head of the Irish Health Service will be an honour and an
exciting chance for me to return to my roots. I have learnt a great
deal over the past 10 years in the NHS and I'm looking forward to
using that experience to give something back. Until I take up the
position in April 2005, it will be business as usual for me here in
England."