NHS National Programme for IT in the spotlight
- Author:
- Computer Weekly
- Posted:
- 15:05 17 May 2007
- Topics:
- IT Applications | IT Strategic Planning | Network Infrastructure
National Health Service Programme for IT – NpfIT: An Expert View
Keywords: NHS National Programme for IT, National Programme for IT, NPfIT
The much-publicised National Health Service Programme for IT, otherwise known as NpfIT, is the Government’s £12.4bn NHS IT transformation programme.
Rarely out of the headlines, the NHS National Programme for IT has been beset with an array of problems, raising passions on all sides.
Issues faced by NPfIT include key elements of the programme being years late; escalating costs; suppliers running into difficulties; and, in some cases, a lack of support by doctors and health professionals.
When it was launched in June 2000, the government recognised the need for a comprehensive update of NHS IT systems.
The NHS National Programme for IT therefore focused on four projects, although others were delivered along the way.
These were an electronic system to book hospital appointments (Choose and Book), a set of reliable, national electronic health records, a new broadband infrastructure, and e-prescriptions.
BT successfully delivered the broadband infrastructure, though critics attacked the cost. Choose and Book is working, but many GPs refuse to use it. E-prescriptions have been delayed, but may prove useful in time.
However, the main bugbear is the national electronic health record: the main purpose of NPfIT. This looks to be years away, with many experts now questioning whether it is needed, as regional records seem adequate in many cases.
One of the features of the National Programme for IT has been the vocal nature of proponents and critics of the scheme, who include politicians, medical experts and academics.
A key figure is the charismatic director general of NHS IT, Richard Granger, who is recognised as having held the whole programme together with a firm grip on the finances.
He left as chief executive of Connecting for Health in June 2007, leaving the future of NPfIT in question.
National Health Service Programme for IT – NpfIT news stories/features
Report exposes stark reality of NHS IT
National Health Service Programme for IT – NpfIT on the rest of web
The case for the National Programme for IT
National Health Service Programme for IT – NpfIT blogs
Tony Collins's IT projects blog
National Health Service Programme for IT – NpfIT images
Nick Green's poster on NHS IT plans:NPfIT
National Health Service Programme for IT – NpfIT video
Catch up on the recent history of the NPfIT with these Computer Weekly stories.
Patient database open to access by non-qualified NHS staff >>
NHS IT scheme spends £1.5bn less than expected >>
Senior executive Richard Jeavons quits NHS IT programme >>
Plans to replace legacy NHS systems put on hold >>
Matthew Swindells quits NHS National Programme for IT >>
Richard Granger's departure may jeopardise NHS IT programme >>
NHS IT: an open letter to Gordon Brown >>
GPs criticise Choose and Book system >>
Connecting for Health briefing claims much of NHS NPfIT complete >>
iSoft and CSC strike NHS deal to allow takeover >>
Chief executive of NHS Connecting for Health resigns
IT Directors Forum: trust steps ahead of NPfIT >>
NHS IT project delays putting patients' safety at risk, say senior staff >>
Report exposes stark reality of NHS IT >>
Buckinghamshire trust hits records trouble despite assurances to MPs >>
Bath NHS Trust looks to learn lessons of patient system roll-out >>
MPs slam failures in delivering NHS IT >>
MPs dissect NHS IT plan's failings >>
Computer Weekly comment: criticism and opportunity for NHS IT >>
Responsibility worries delay localisation of NPfIT >>
Atos suspended from NHS contract >>
Stop roll-out of this records system, urge NHS doctors >>
Digital imaging to replace x-ray film in London trusts >>
NHS IT devolution plan goes into action >>
NHS trusts ask for costs to cover delays to NPfIT >>
Bolton GPs first adopters of NHS online patient records >>
New suppliers sought in change to NHS IT >>
Milton Keynes hospitals go live with electronic care records >>
Smartcard scheme makes 'a nonsense of IT security' >>
Supplier sets out risks facing NHS IT plan >>
Record system boosts care at Sheffield trust improves care with e-records >>
Academics air 'concerns' over NPfIT >>
CSC claims swift progress in NHS contract >>
It's about people, not just technology >>
No warning for hospital on patient system problems >>
'213038'Leaked e-mails emphasise divide between business goals and technology in NHS plan >>
'216832'This examination of NHS IT scheme has failed to probe the painful facts >>
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