Members of the House of Commons Health Committee want to
hold a series of hearings into the NHS IT programme later this year
in response to an open letter from 23 experts in computer-related
sciences.
The committee would investigate the case for an independent
audit into whether the programme, as originally announced by the
Department of Health, is feasible and will help clinicians improve
patient care.
MPs on the committee had considered holding two hearings into
the National Programme for IT (NPfIT) in July, before parliament
breaks up for the summer. But at a meeting they decided more time
was needed to consider a report by public spending watchdog the
National Audit Office. The NAO is due to report next month on
whether the NPfIT so far has represented value for money.
MPs on the Health Committee also want to consider the findings
of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, which is due to question
Richard Granger, head of the NPfIT, on 26 June.
Mike Penning, a Tory member of the Health Committee, said the
experts’ open letter had been discussed by his committee.
“The committee will be taking oral evidence as well as written
evidence once the reports of the National Audit Office and the
Public Accounts Committee are published. We will hold an in-depth
inquiry.
“This is a major project which will have a massive effect on the
future treatment of patients in the NHS and it involves an enormous
amount of taxpayers’ money,” he said.
The open letter to the Health Committee, published last month,
called for an independent technical audit of the NPfIT.
A spokesman for the Health Committee said members had indicated
that they wanted to hold a series of hearings into the NPfIT but no
firm decision had been taken. Penning said members of the committee
were determined to hold an inquiry.
Meanwhile, 44 MPs have signed an early day motion that calls for
an independent audit of the NPfIT. Computer Weekly plans to contact
MPs to draw their attention to the motion.