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NHS Information Strategy ‘needs focus’

Professional health organisations have given a cautious welcome to the launch of the Government’s NHS information strategy.

Most recognise the benefits it could provide, though some have raised concerns that the strategy will require significant investment and have cautioned against using email as a replacement for diagnosis and assessment.

NHS Confederation chief executive Mike Farrar said: “Proposals to allow patients to have greater online access to more services is a positive step forward.

“This programme will require significant investment, support and guidance with clear timelines and desired results. Otherwise we risk losing focus and having another strategy which fails to deliver for staff and patients. Resources – new or existing – will need to be well spent and guarantee value for money.

“The implementation of this strategy needs national coordination but will require local ownership and responsibility. That balance is critical if we are to be successful. There will not be any second chances for the NHS if we fail.”

Jeanne Tarrant, Royal College of Midwives team manager and lead on IT issues, said: “We welcome the launch of the new strategy and that the Department has supported a number of NHS trailblazers with improved adoption of new technologies in maternity services.”

Jeremy Taylor, chief executive of National Voices, called for a clear implementation plan to identify how charities can play their part and to ensure patients are given a “stronger voice in decisions about their own care”.

Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the BMA’s GPs Committee, said: “There are GP surgeries which have been pioneering online booking and repeat prescriptions for a while now so we would support the wider implementation of this, as long as it doesn’t impact on patients without IT access who can continue to book appointments in the usual way.

“However, we would caution against the potential use of email for consultations, because compared to a telephone or face-to-face consultation it is difficult for GPs to assess someone quickly and safely this way.”

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