NHS IT spend to double - but where will the money go?

Government plans to use new technology to drive improvements in the NHS have come under fire from doctors' representatives.

Grant Kelly, chairman of the British Medical Association's IT committee, said Derek Wanless's report into the future of the NHS, which will be used as the blueprint for government policy, lacks any clear justification for increased spending on IT.

Kelly said: "This is very disappointing, as one really feels an opportunity has been missed here. While an increase in funding is no doubt needed, what is more urgent is a re-organisation of how IT projects are organised and rolled-out. This just doesn't move us forward on that."

Kelly's comments come despite the report recommending a doubling of government spend on IT and 'ring-fencing' to ensure the money is not used for other priorities at ground-level.

He said: "In the NHS more than any other organisation, one has to provide real reasons why money should be spent on IT and not on replacement hips say, or medicine.

"It is the culture to ask for more money for IT, but this report fails to spell out what benefits increased spending will bring, and how these will be brought about."

Kelly said that without tightly focused definitions of what needed to be achieved, the government was in real danger of being seduced by the large IT vendors, who are just keen to flog expensive computer systems.

The government has already been accused of snuggling up too close to Microsoft in the healthcare arena, after a $50m desktop software deal was agreed last autumn.

Bill Gates has also been granted private audiences with Tony Blair, health secretary Alan Milburn, and NHS Trust CEOs.

Other large contracts with big vendors - including a £325m deal with IBM, Oracle and PwC - have also been signed.

Other industry figures agreed with Kelly's analysis. Barry James, chairman of the New NHS Intranet and Internet Conference, said: "I haven't seen anything new here in this report."

A spokesman for Wanless denied the report failed to justify NHS IT spending. He said: "The report makes it clear what the benefits are. With increased ICT spending both patients and workers would benefit, both in terms of increasing administrative efficiency and reducing waiting times."

He also said the focus of Wanless's report was to look at funding the Health Service, whilst it was up to Alan Milburn to explain and define the details.

For related news, see:
Cynics attack NHS IT cash boost plans
http://www.silicon.coma52783
NHS staff get IT