The NHS has provided services supplier CSC with only a
handful of employees to work on the national programme for IT. This
is despite the NHS' contractual commitment to provide dozens of
health service staff to the supplier.
The shortfall highlights the problems faced by NHS organisations
and local service providers in providing staff for the
modernisation of the NHS.
The company could claim up to £70,000 from the NHS for every
employee not provided, but a CSCspokesman said, "It is CSC's normal
business practice to avoid any compensation charges with customers
where possible."
The spokesman added a "Managed Authority Employees Scheme" was
incorporated into the contract by the NHS. The CSC Alliance has two
NHS staff working full-time and one part-time on the scheme. "We
are increasing the flexibility of the roles to be filled," said the
spokesman.
Meanwhile, NHS IT executives in CSC's area said they would rather
pay compensation than lose key staff to the supplier. They also
said they would be concerned if CSC waived the right to claim
compensation.
They see any decision by CSC not to invoke a legitimate claim as
reducing the bargaining strength of the NHS should suppliers fail
to meet contractual commitments. One IT director said that if
suppliers do not make justified claims against the NHS, they will
be storing a "get out of jail free card" for future use.