MPs told NHS IT programme "not looking good"

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The multi-billion pound NHS IT programme is behind schedule, doomed to go over-budget, and needs "urgent remedial action", MPs were told today.

A report by the Committee of Public Accounts heavily criticised the national program for IT (NPfIT), which is upgrading together computer record systems and other IT infrastructure in the National Health Services (NHS).

Calling for an immediate, independent inquiry into the massive project, Edward Leigh, the Conservative chairman of the committee said: "Urgent remedial action is needed at the highest level if the long-term interests of NHS patients and taxpayers are to be protected."

The report criticised the extensive delays and supplier failures which have held back the upgrades.

"The programme is not looking good," said Leigh. "The electronic patient clinical record, which is central to the project, is already running two years late. The suppliers are struggling to deliver. Scepticism is rife among the NHS clinicians whose commitment to the programme is essential to its success. And, four years down the line, the costs and benefits for the local NHS are unclear."

He said the Department of Health (DoH) must get a grip on spending to diminish the already high risks of the 10-year, £12.4 billion project and set out a timetable with suppliers to improve clinicians' confidence in the project.

The report recommended an independent review of the performance of the three remaining regional contractors - CSC, Fujitsu and BT, after Accenture pulled out in September expecting major losses on the project. If the programme isn't properly delivered, local health providers should be allowed to find their own IT suppliers, Leigh said. Last month, the NPfIT advertised for additional suppliers.

The Conservative shadow health minister Stephen O'Brien, said that many of the problems stem from not including medical staff in the programme's development.

"Doctors and nurses were left out of the planning and design of the NHS IT programme and that has been a huge problem," he said in a statement.

The Liberal Democrats called for halt to spending on the program and an independent inquiry.

"We need to find out whether it is still possible to achieve the programme's original objectives or whether it should be adapted to deliver what GPs and hospitals say they need," said shadow health secretary Norman Lamb in a statement, adding there was no doubt that ministers' plans had gone wrong.

"Any discussion with people working in the NHS leaves an overwhelming sense of loss of confidence in the project," he said. "The government cannot continue to charge ahead with the system, blind to ever more stark warnings."

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