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NHS National Programme for IT Benefits Statement 06–07: North West patients and providers both benefit from the latest technology, new systems and services
Patients and NHS organisations in the North West are beginning to feel the benefits of an England–wide investment in new information technology [IT]. New systems and services are being implemented to help the NHS provide better, safer care for patients by improving the way information is stored and shared. A report published this week shows that nationally the NHS National Programme for IT is helping patients to receive a speedier diagnosis if they require an x–ray or scan and has improved convenience for people who need to book an outpatient appointment. These are just some of the many benefits highlighted in the National Programme for IT Benefits Statement 2006–07, which also shows savings of over £208 million for the NHS in England thanks to new IT. The North West of England has already seen the completed deployment of the Picture Archiving and Communications System [PACS] in all hospitals. As a result, patients are experiencing shorter waiting times and an improved service from radiology departments across the region. PACS enables better collaboration between clinicians in different hospital departments and NHS organisations, and means they have better tools for assessing medical conditions. NHS organisations in the North West are also benefiting from the biggest, secure healthcare broadband network in the world, which has been created as part of the National Programme. This allows images and data to be safely shared by doctors and clinical teams.
And where GP practices are using new GP2GP software, patients moving to our area or changing GP practice are having their notes transferred to their new GP within minutes, instead of the six weeks or more it used to take using traditional methods. New systems and services are being rolled–out according to local need and readiness. In five areas of the country including Bolton and Bury an early adopter programme for creating Summary Care Records has begun. This will mean that patients who need emergency or out–of–hours care, can be sure that important information about their medication and allergies is available to the doctor or nurse attending them. This will greatly improve the safety of their care and in some cases, save lives. The National Programme has helped the NHS in England to reduce the costs of buying and replacing IT systems and software licences, and in maintaining hardware. Trusts are also making savings from, for example, having no more chemicals or film processing costs. The overall savings to the NHS from the National Programme for IT, based–on calculations to March 2007, are predicted to be £1.04 billion by March 2014. For further information about the new systems and services being introduced as part of the National Programme for IT or to download the NPfIT Benefits Statement 06–07 visit: www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk. From your browser | Email the page | Email the page link | Print the page | Add page to favourites ········································································································································
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