NHS nurses are unsure whether the National Health Service can
deliver an electronic patient record, according to a survey by the
Royal College of Nursing.
It showed two-thirds of nurses welcome the introduction of an
electronic record but most are uncertain about the effect it
will have on
patient care, safety and confidentiality.
The NHS'
National Programme for IT aims to provide a single electronic
patient record for each person in England.
Over half of the 2,600 nurses questioned said they do not
believe or know whether the NHS can deliver it successfully.
The survey polled nurses on IT and showed two-thirds of them
have not been consulted or involved in the new system's design or
development.
RCN General Secretary Peter Carter said, "If electronic patient
records are to be introduced in the right way with staff fully
engaged and involved, the health service has to get to grips with
this problem before it is too late."
The survey also found that 16% have to share a computer with
more than 20 other people. Nearly half have to share with five
others.
Carter added, "We cannot have a situation where nursing staff
are waiting in line with 20 or more people for time on a computer
to carry out essential documentation. Equally, we cannot have a
system that is dependent on so few computers to facilitate
care."
NHS IT in the spotlight >>
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