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Wider choice of computer systems for family doctors
Mar 23, 2005, 18:36, Reviewed by: Dr.
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'Throughout the development of new IT systems for the NHS we have listened carefully to what front-line clinicians want from them. GPs have told us they want a wider choice of systems to use and I am pleased we can deliver this '
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By DOH, UK,
Health Minister John Hutton today announced plans for GPs across England to be able to select a wider range of computer systems as part of the National Programme for IT.
Family doctors will have the option of using a wider variety of systems, provided the system supplier has signed a distribution contract with one of the five Local Service Providers.
Eligible suppliers will now include EMIS, which has recently signed a contract with CSC, the Local Service Provider for the North West and Midlands.
Mr Hutton said:
'Throughout the development of new IT systems for the NHS we have listened carefully to what front-line clinicians want from them. GPs have told us they want a wider choice of systems to use and I am pleased we can deliver this .'
Suppliers of GP systems will be offered to practices nationwide provided they have a contract with a Local Service Provider, can demonstrate the required level of inter-operability with NPfIT systems, and can make a sound business case. The systems will also have to be hosted in a data centre to facilitate nationwide services such as GP-to-GP data transfer, electronic transmission of prescriptions and Choose and Book electronic appointment booking.
Mr Hutton added:
'The National Programme for IT has achieved an enormous amount in the two years it has been running - procuring and developing extremely advanced information systems which will make an enormous difference to the care patients receive. This investment in IT means the NHS will deliver safer, higher quality treatment for patients and much wider choice of who treats them.
'We are now seeing the results of the hard work by staff in the Programme and the NHS. The first systems have been installed in GP surgeries, hospitals and social care settings - and more will follow in the coming weeks and months.'
Recent achievements include:
� The first electronic prescriptions issued by a GP surgery, last month. The surgery, in Keighley, West Yorkshire, is now transmitting more than 900 e-prescriptions a week
� Several GP surgeries have now been connected to the national data spine
� Over 5000 NHS sites are connected to the new high-speed data network (N3)
� More than 100,000 users are registered with the new NHS email service
� Several modern and secure systems have been deployed in both acute trusts and primary care settings
Mr Hutton also announced that on 1 April 2005 the National Programme for IT will become an agency of the Department of Health and will be re-named Connecting for Health. Richard Granger will become Chief Executive and Senior Responsible Officer for Programme and Systems Delivery. He remains Director General for IT. John Bacon, Department of Health Group Director for Delivery, becomes overarching Senior Responsible Officer for all work streams for the programme. Both Richard Granger and John Bacon continue to report to the NHS Chief Executive, Sir Nigel Crisp. 
- Department of Health
www.dh.gov.uk (external link)
1. The four NPfIT Local Service Providers have agreed in principle to offer GP surgeries in their areas the choice of IT systems from suppliers who meet the following criteria:
� The system provider is in contract with an LSP
� The system is capable of being hosted in a data centre
� The system meets the nationally defined Interoperability Standards
� The provision of the particular system can be justified through a strong business case
2. The four LSPs hold five contracts for the implementation of NPfIT systems across geographical areas of England as follows:
North West and Midlands:
Contractor: CSC
Strategic Health Authorities: Birmingham & the Black Country; Cheshire & Merseyside; Cumbria & Lancashire; Greater Manchester; Shropshire & Staffordshire; West Midlands South.
North East:
Contractor: Accenture
SHAs: County Durham and Tees Valley; N. and E. Yorks and N. Lincs; Northumberland, Tyne and Wear; South Yorks; W. Yorks
East:
Contractor: Accenture
SHAs: Beds and Herts; Essex; Leics, Northants and Rutland; Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambs; Trent
London:
Contractor: Capital Care Alliance led by BT
SHAs: NW, NE, SW, SE, North Central London
South:
Contractor: Fujitsu Alliance
SHAs: Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire; Dorset and Somerset; Hants and Isle of Wight; Kent and Medway; South West Peninsula; Surrey and Sussex; Thames Valley
3. The National Programme for IT is an essential element in delivering the NHS Plan. It will create a multi-billion pound information infrastructure, which will improve patient care by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of clinicians and other NHS staff. It will do this by:
� creating an NHS Care Records Service to improve the sharing of consenting patients' records across the NHS
� making it easier and faster for GPs and other primary care staff to book hospital appointments for patients
� providing a system for electronic transmission of prescriptions
� ensuring that the IT infrastructure can meet NHS needs now and in the future
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