NHS leading public sector on shared services
A new study by the National Audit Office has praised the NHS for being at the forefront of adopting shared services in the public sector, even though only a fifth of NHS trusts have widely adopted the financial concept. The Cabinet Office is currently pushing for the adoption of shared services across government to deliver […]
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MPs say EPRs essential but delivery in doubt
Electronic patient record systems are vital to the future of healthcare in England, but there remain big questions and concerns…
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Wanless warns NPfIT risking NHS modernisation
In a review of NHS modernisation efforts Sir Derek Wanless has criticised the slow progress of the National Programme for IT (NPfIT) and called for an audit of the programme to ensure it supports wider health service modernisation. The report warns that considerable challenges lie ahead in modernising NHS IT systems and says there is "continuing […]
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DH blasted for ‘back room deal’ with Dr Foster
The Department of Health ignored procurement guidelines and pursued a ‘back room deal’ on NHS information which was ‘handed to Dr Foster on a plate’, according to a committee of MPs. Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has today heavily criticised the DH for agreeing a joint venture with health informatics company Dr Foster without putting […]
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Millennium problems at Taunton condemned by consultant
Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust have delayed deploying Cerner Millennium software due to ‘severe security problems’, the BMA’s Annual Representative Meeting heard. The software had been due to go live the weekend beginning 29 June. Calling for a public inquiry into the National Programme for IT (NPfIT), David Wrede, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, told the […]
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NAO says information vital to cutting prescribing costs
A National Audit Office study has found that the NHS could save £200m a year by GPs prescribing drugs fewer branded drugs and instead using generics. It concludes that better information is a vital factor to help GPs analyse their knowledge and keep their knowledge up to date. The report says that £200m a year […]
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Second full NAO review of NPfIT to be carried out
The Commons Public Accounts Committee has ordered a second full review of the NHS IT programme to be carried out public spending watchdog the National Audit Office, to check that the recommendations of its report into the NHS IT project are followed. Chairman of the PAC Edward Leigh said he planned to "call the Government’s […]
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PAC report brings brickbats and bouquets for NPfIT
Mixed reaction greeted the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee’s report on the National Programme for IT with critics and supporters dividing on predictable lines and the NHS Confederation saying the programme must be made to work, despite its problems. Health minister Lord Hunt, claimed the evidence taken to produce the report was outdated. “This PAC […]
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OOH performance measurement poor, says report
Many primary care trusts are unable to measure their performance on out-of-hours care, partly because providers do not have the necessary telephone systems, the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has concluded. The PAC report on out-of-hours (OOH) care found that PCTs were failing to meet quality requirements, due to a combination of poor performance […]
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NAO criticises £12m Dr Foster Intelligence deal
The National Audit Office has criticised the Information Centre for striking a £12m deal without going out to tender to create Dr Foster Intelligence – a joint venture designed to provide healthcare information. The NAO said: “The Department of Health and the Information Centre (IC) could not demonstrate to the National Audit Office’s satisfaction that they had achieved […]
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