Survey finds IT consultation inadequate or non-existent

The survey by Medix, conducted for the BBC, asked a sample of just over 500 doctors for their views of consultation about the programme and tested their levels of confidence about various issues raised by NPfIT.

The results, which will be discussed on File on 4 on Radio Four on Tuesday (18 October), make uneasy reading for the government and the national programme after a week of largely adverse headlines about implementation costs.

In the key question about consultation, only 7% of respondents said that consultation with them personally was more than adequate (1%) or adequate (6%). About a sixth (16%) said consultation was inadequate, over three quarters (76%) said they had experienced no consultation at all and 1% were unsure.

The sample was split almost equally between GPs and other doctors, though there was little difference between the two groups on the question of consultation.

“Apart from surveys like this, I have heard virtually nothing about the project," said one respondent.

“As a senior registrar, soon to be a consultant, it is amazing how little information we have been given," said another.

Among the many lengthy responses to an invitation for further comment, a doctor from Newcastle said a workshop held by the local service provider had necessitated a trip to Leeds.  “There were no plans to hold workshops closer to my base hospital which meant that secretaries, allied health professionals and most doctors were very unlikely to have much input into the systems under development."

The sample showed little confidence that they would be consulted before the system was implemented. Only 2% were confident that consultations would be adequate and 83% were unconfident or very unconfident.

There was slightly better news for the national programme from 27% GPs who said they were likely or very likely to use the new electronic Choose and Book service, though an almost equal proportion (23%) said they had insufficient information to comment.

Some GPs thought they might not have an option. “I will use Choose and Book as I’m sure we will not be given a choice,” said one.  Another was more positive, commenting: “If it works it will be very helpful".

Yet another stated: “Choose and book what? Current waiting times at our local alcohol service exceed one year."

Only 3% of respondents were confident that the national programme could avoid the difficulties and failures seen in some other government IT projects.  Most (77%) felt unconfident or very unconfident about the prospects for success, with GPs (82%) notably more pessimistic on this issue than other doctors (71%). The same pattern emerged in a question about the likelihood of NPfIT delivering value for money.

Many comments picked up on current controversies about GP computing and made general comments about the large sums of money involved.

One commented: "As an IT-literate and interested senior GP, I have taken an active interest in this project, beyond the information readily available. I am not impressed! I foresee outright failure at vast expense or, at best, enormous trouble and disruption for GPs and their attached staff.

“This is a shame because ultimately IT offers a lot to general practice, and the health service overall, but this project, forced through at breakneck pace and with its criteria and goals already largely set in advance of any consultation, is unlikely to deliver the goods, although it will undoubtedly greatly enrich the many IT companies concerned; and the recruitment consultancies now dredging around for GP ‘consultants’ on short contracts at vast wages. I have been head-hunted twice within the past three days…"