Radical Steps highlights serious concerns about NPfIT
The National Programme for IT is still failing to communicate what it will deliver, when it will deliver, and what the cost to local NHS organisations will be. In addition, few staff fully understand what the claimed clinical or business benefits of new systems procured will be, and clinical consultation on systems specifications remains limited. […]
News
NPfIT urged to show confidence in NHS staff
A call for leaders of the National Programme for IT to demonstrate confidence in the capabilities and professionalism of NHS staff came at E-Health Insider’s conference in London last week. Martin Bell, director of IM&T for North Bristol NHS Trust said:“The national programme is information poor, and it needs to share and let go; it […]
News
Joint guidance issued on GP system choice
Definitive guidance on the issue of choice of practice systems has been issued which makes it plain that practices should not be forced to switch to a new system until "a clearly better alternative" is available together with a proven route to migration. The new guidance has been jointly produced by the joint IT committee of the […]
News
NPfIT to review approach to stakeholder engagement
The NHS National Programme for Information Technology (NPfIT) has announced a review of its formal arrangements for engaging the NHS, patients and other stakeholders, in order to support the effective implementation of the NPfIT. As part of this new approach the national programme is to create a new Front Line Support Academy to help NHS […]
News
Leaked report criticises NPfIT implementation
A leaked report by the National Programme for IT’s former chief clinical adviser has exposed fault lines at the highest levels of the leadership of the national programme and serious disagreements about the way the programme is being implemented and its lack of engagement with clinicians. According to a report in today’s Financial Times, in […]
News
Communications boss appointed by national programme
The National Programme for IT finally has a communications director, after an on-off-on search that began early last year. The new post has been taken up this month by James Herbert, previously a former army officer, BBC broadcast journalist and ex-head of global media relations with oil giant Shell. Commenting on the challenge Herbert […]
News
Deputy CMO joins national programme
Deputy chief medical officer, Aidan Halligan, has joined the National Programme for IT, taking personal responsibility for delivering clinical engagement and for realising the benefits of improved decision making, quality of treatment and patient safety. The appointment was announced by health minister, John Hutton, on the opening day of Healthcare Computing 2004 in Harrogate. Dr Halligan […]
News
Parliamentary briefing paper sets out challenges for NPfIT
A new parliamentary briefing paper on the National Programme for IT has highlighted stakeholder involvement, communications, "imposing change on a highly devolved NHS", and the complexity of the programme each as potential areas of concern for the success of the project. ‘New NHS IT’ a Parliamentary briefing note prepared by the Parliamentary Office of Science […]
News
NHS Confed survey says planning for NPfIT underway
A new survey by health service management body, the NHS Confederation, has indicated that NHS managers are starting to plan effectively for the implementation of the National Programme for IT (NPfIT). The survey of NHS hospital trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in the England found that three-quarters of NHS organisations have conducted or have plans to […]
News
Granger Confirms Centre to Allocate LSP Contracts
With the shortlist for LSPs announced this week, barely a year after the procurement process for the NPfIT began, Richard Granger, NHS IT director-general, has reiterated that the final decision on LSP contract awards will be made centrally. In an interview with E-Health Insider, Mr Granger, confirmed that the decisions on award of the five […]
News