This is supposed to provide 50 million patients in England with an electronic health record and able them book appointments and operations via an electronic booking system.

Patient privacy and confidentiality seems to be a concern for many people.

There is talk about this project exceeding initial budget expectation by 3-5 times the original forecast. We are talking Billions of pounds here, bad planning again?

This sounds like it could end been another disaster.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3750474.stm

Will the new NHS computer system be a flop?

If it costs billions, it's bound to be a flop.
If they get stuck with the installation, they can always post in the Ask an expert forum. I'm sure one of 'us' could sort it for them! :hihi:

The new system'll probably be fine. The problem is going to be the integration with all the legacy systems that each health authority currently has.
The headlines will all probably trumpet how bad the thing is going when one particular integration fails. I feel for whoever's got that contract.

The network infrastructure looks like it's costing a lot more than they bargained for.

I was interviewed for a job on this project some time ago, but it appears that some of the roles within one of teh consultancies have been put on hold, 'mine' included.

I've given up hope at the moment and am happily working on other projects, but I do wonder whether they've hit a few unexpectd snags.

As for integration with existing systems, perhaps they should have nailed that down in terms of some sort of data tranlation system (XML, whatever) to allow data transfer between potentially disparate systems first? I'm currently working on the data transfer protocols for public transport systems and that's top of the list of stuff to get working.

Joe

Joe

Yes, there are hundreds of computers in NGH now,if you walk round you can see the only thing running on most of them are screensavers. I don`t think any one knows how to use them.I use them only to input a job number and recieve a printed checklist for each job.I did an ECDL course for my own benefit at home. A lot of you will know how very,very basic that course is, but I am now the most qualified in my department !!!

I understand that the initial costing was 6-7 billion, with current estimates ranging from 15-32 billion.
There is a poor record of IT systems in the NHS with some Health Authorities squandering 10'smillions on systems which had to be scrapped at a great cost to the taxpayer
We can expect local budgets to be plundered to meet the rising costs.

It's the biggest load of rubbish I have ever heard,they cannot run the system thats been in place over 50 years mind having a new computerised system.They cannot provide beds for sick people & they spend all this money.They should spend the money on updating our hospital services,before they waste anymore money.

It puts me in mind of the Yes Minister episode, where the most efficient hospital was a brand new one fully equipped and staffed but not accepting patients. Therefore no waiting lists - pefect.
So funny but so sad as it is almost true.

It's a good idea - but ony if it's implemented properly.

I've worked on a number of NHS IT projects in the last 20 years and have to say that the successful ones were the small ones under local control.

The big national ones have tended to be nightmares because they're just so damn big!

Whether people like it or not the NHS does need some high quality information and management systems to provide support for clinical and management functions. But only if they're done properly.

I'd heard an origibnal cost of about 6 to 8 billions and yup, it's running well over that now. Perhaps I should be pleased I'm not involved...:)

Joe

Originally posted by JoePritchard
I'd heard an origibnal cost of about 6 to 8 billions and yup, it's running well over that now. Perhaps I should be pleased I'm not involved...:)

But don't you want your share of the billions? The contractors will be getting that cash whether it works or not.

Originally posted by ncrossland
The contractors will be getting that cash whether it works or not.
Thats about the size of it!

You can be sure that plenty of cats will be getting their cream out of this one.

The utter mess that EDS created for the Government is another wonderful example of squandered public funds that we have been delivered.

Well at least Wembley Stadium is all giong to plan?

They'll have a time re-training all the staff as well to use the thing.

Especially the older technophobic generation who've been NHS workers for donkey's years.

Hi Rich,
Hope you don`t mean us silver (grey) surfers !
No offence taken or I would sue you for ageism.

Originally posted by ncrossland
But don't you want your share of the billions? The contractors will be getting that cash whether it works or not.

Hiya!

hehehe......this is true!

The only problem is that with some of these long term projects you get stuck there in a sort of weird comfort trap! I like projects to have a visible end and to feel that I've actually achieved something.

Also, it's one of those BIG projects that might hang around your neck like an albatross if it goes pear shaped...:)

Joe

If all the NHS staff are already working 18hr shifts, when are they giong to get time to train?