Tories call in BCS to review NHS IT and ‘monolithic supercomputer’

The BCS has sent a series of questions to a range of stakeholders in healthcare IT, with a deadline of 30 September for written answers, before a live debate takes place. Topics in the questions include change management, data sharing and confidentiality, but participants can comment on any theme.

“It’s a great opportunity for people in the health service to contribute their views,” said Hayes.

“The group is convinced of the benefits that can be gained though the use of health informatics, and welcomes the progress that is being made in this area,” it said in its letter to invite participants.

“We believe that [patient] records, appropriately designed, properly implemented, and made available to those providing health and, where feasible, social care would enable the improvement and efficient management of patient and service user outcomes.”

Also in the review group are Gail Beer, an independent consultant; Iain Carpenter, clinical lead on record standards, and John Williams, director Health Informatics, both at the Royal College of Physicians; and Ian Shepherd at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

The BCS separately runs an IT qualification for NHS staff.

The Department of Health did not comment, saying the issue was a matter of party politics. A spokesperson at the Labour party was not immediately available.

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