Shadow health minister states Conservative position on
national IT programme
The Conservatives want an independent assessment of the
national programme for IT in the NHS (NPfIT). It is clear that the
programme will not deliver on time and we are conscious of the
growing number of NPfIT dissenters.
There are particular concerns about user involvement, waning
functionality and patient confidentiality. Despite a lengthy
correspondence, ministers have failed to offer reassurance.
Predictably, the NPfIT has not welcomed our plans. "We do not think
it is appropriate to call for an independent review when that is
rightly the role of the National Audit Office, which reports to
Parliament," said a spokesman.
The NAO is investigating NHS computing and has taken the highly
unusual step of reporting on a project while still in its
adolescence. It is right to do so. However, there are many
precedents for an independent review of large IT projects. And they
do not get any bigger than this one.
The Arthur D Little report on National Air Traffic Services at
Swanwick is a case in point. The report, undertaken by an
independent third party after competitive tender, looked at the
history of the project and its status. It was not bound by the
formulaic and constrained approach that is a part of the NAO's
work.
We have been surprised by the reluctance to be open. Given the
national programme's £30bn price tag and the general acceptance
that the project opens up the prospect of real wins, we feel the
government's attitude has been misguided.
When shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley made a routine request
to meet with NPfIT director Richard Granger in the run-up to the
general election, as convention permits, John Reid said no. When
Computer Weekly tried to gain access to a press briefing, it was
turned away.
The NPfIT is the biggest project of its sort. I sincerely hope it
prospers. But there are worrying signs it will join a long line of
IT disasters. A timely review may yet allow victory to be snatched
from the jaws of disaster.
Andrew Murrison is the shadow health minister and a former
GP
CV: Andrew Murrison
Andrew Murrison is one of several doctors in the House of
Commons. He worked as a GP in Wiltshire before before becoming a
member of Parliament.
Murrison served for 18 years as a medical officer in the Royal
Navy, leaving in October 2000 as a surgeon commander. He was
recalled in 2003 to serve in Iraq despite his Parliamentary
opposition to the war. He was elected to Parliament in June 2001
and in November 2003 joined the Conservative front bench as a
health spokesman.