A major survey by E-Health Insider and Doctors.net.uk has concluded that the majority of IT managers do not wish to scrap the National Programme for IT (NPfIT) but do feel that it should be reformed, which coincides with the Conservatives plans for Health and Social Care IT.
Despite 80% of all IT managers wanting to see a reform in the NPfIT, the doctors who also took part in the survey were keener to see the whole programme scrapped. More that 54% of GPs agreed the programme should be ended followed by 43% of consultants and 25% of junior doctors.
However, doctors also have a different view on why progress implementing IT in the NHS has been so slow, blaming a lack of consultation with clinicians in designing systems.
Despite varying opinions, the survey does demonstrate that all those involved with the NHS recognise the need for a good IT system that meets the needs of doctors, NHS IT professionals and suppliers.
The Tories have suggested that there is need for the central architecture to be ‘dismantled’ and for its multi-billion pound local service provider contract to be renegotiated in favour of more local control over IT decision making. IT professionals also backed interoperability rather than centrally purchased systems as the way forward.
Regardless of what is decided in the coming months, it is safe to stay that there are still a lot of changes to made to NHS IT and all involved, from GPs to IT managers, should be aware that they may not be as straightforward as expected.
