The National Programme for IT in the NHS

INTRODUCTION

The main aim of the National Programme for IT (NPfIT) in the NHS in England (www.npfit.nhs.uk) is to provide better information for health and patient care, where and when it's needed. The programme should deliver:

• a fast reliable IT infrastructure,

• centralised electronic records for all patients, available to those authorised to see them (the NHS Care Record Service),

• support for new ways of working (electronic booking services and electronic transfer of prescriptions).

The NPfIT is a multibillion pound project, with the total value of contracts awarded so far at over £6 billion for the first 7 years.

CLINICAL ENGAGEMENT IN NPFIT

NPfIT has been criticised in the media for the perceived lack of engagement with health professionals. However, there have been recent encouraging signs that NPfIT is now actively seeking to involve and inform clinicians. As part of this process of clinical engagement, the RCGP were recently asked by NPfIT, to list the 10 ways in which effective IT could add real value to the professional lives of GPs. The RCGP's Health Informatics Specialist Group …