Tanaka Business School researcher warns that NHS IT programme is being hampered by financial deficits, poor communication and serious delays

An independent academic study of NHS staff views of the progress of the new IT programme has found that financial deficits and poor communication continue to hamper its successful implementation.

It also found that continuing delays could constitute a growing risk to patient safety. The research is published online today (17 May) in the BMJ.

In this follow-up to their initial study published in 2005, researchers from Imperial College London's Tanaka Business School, King's College London, University of Bristol and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine interviewed a range of key senior NHS staff in financial, IT and clinical roles.

As with the 2005 study, the respondents feel that local financial deficits are having a serious impact on the success of the programme. This new survey found that, as financial problems continue to worsen, local managers can't focus on implementing the system because of competing financial priorities and uncertainties about the programme.

There is ongoing concern about a lack of clarity and poor communication from Connecting for Health, the agency responsible for delivering the programme. Some people feel disempowered and frustrated because decisions are being made by this agency and local IT service providers without consulting key NHS staff.  

With the announcement of the new IT programme in 2002, many NHS Trusts stopped investing in their existing systems. This study highlights how delays now mean that existing technology may not be fit for purpose and some staff feel this represents an unacceptable risk to patient safety.

Professor Naomi Fulop of the School of Social Science and Public Policy at King's College London comments: 'We have found that NHS staff support the goals of this programme and believe in the benefits of IT modernisation. But they have a number of serious concerns, in particular potential risks to patient safety. It's crucial that patient information is stored and accessed via a robust, secure IT system. While the delays continue, IT networks are becoming outdated and there is a real risk that patient care could be compromised.'

The NHS IT programme is the largest civilian IT programme in the world with projected expenditure of over £12 billion. The main features of this system include a new broadband networking service, electronic booking and a nationally accessible summary of patient records.

Other issues that were identified in this study were a lack of faith in the patient booking system and there was a general questioning of whether the original goals of NHS-wide connectivity could ever be achieved.   

Dr Jane Hendy of Tanaka Business School at Imperial College London says:  'We recommend that Connecting for Health urgently address the current uncertainty experienced by trusts and take responsibility for advising about interim decisions.  Against other competing financial pressures, trust managers need assistance to prioritise IT modernisation, with solutions that can be delivered quickly, are value-for-money and are consistent with the programme's overall goals.'

Dr Barney Reeves of the Clinical Trials and Evaluation Unit at the University of Bristol adds:  'The concept of the NHS IT programme remains visionary and hospital staff in the NHS urgently need the facilities that it will bring.  It will be a disaster if the opportunities afforded by the programme are jeopardised by the challenges associated with implementation.'

ENDS

Contacts:
Tanaka Business School
Eoin Bedford
T:  +44 (0) 20 7594 9154
E:  e.bedford@imperial.ac.uk

About Imperial College and Tanaka Business School
Consistently rated in the top three UK university institutions, Imperial College London is a world leading science-based university whose reputation for excellence in teaching and research attracts students (11,000) and staff (6,000) of the highest international quality. Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and management and delivers practical solutions that enhance the quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture. Website: www.imperial.ac.uk

Imperial College's Tanaka Business School is a world-class provider of business education and research, focusing primarily on Imperial strengths in innovation and entrepreneurship, finance and healthcare management. The School offers full-time and executive MBAs, Master's programmes in Finance, Risk Management, International Health Management, Actuarial Finance and Management; and a Doctoral programme.
Website: www.imperial.ac.uk/tanaka

King's College London
King's College London is the fourth oldest university in England with more than 13,700 undergraduates and nearly 5,600 graduate students in nine schools of study based at five London campuses. It is a member of the Russell Group: a coalition of the UK's major research-based universities. The College has had 24 of its subject-areas awarded the highest rating of 5* and 5 for research quality, demonstrating excellence at an international level, and it has recently received an excellent result in its audit by the Quality Assurance Agency.

King's has a particularly distinguished reputation in the humanities, law, international relations, medicine, nursing and the sciences, and has played a major role in many of the advances that have shaped modern life, such as the discovery of the structure of DNA. It is the largest centre for the education of healthcare professionals in Europe and is home to five Medical Research Council Centres - more than any other university.

King's is in the top group of UK universities for research earnings, with income from grants and contracts of more than £100 million, and has an annual turnover of more than £363 million.

University of Bristol
The University was founded in 1876 as University College, Bristol. It was the first higher education institution in England to admit women on an equal basis to men. The University of Bristol is internationally distinguished and one of the very best universities in the UK dedicated to learning, discovery and enterprise. It is a world leader in research and a member of the Worldwide Universities Network and of the Russell Group of universities.

The University has more than 11,000 undergraduate and 5,000 postgraduate students. The University organises its academic affairs in some 45 departments and 15 research centres which are arranged in six faculties.
Website: www.bristol.ac.uk

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is Britain's national school of public health and a leading postgraduate institution in Europe for public health and tropical medicine. Part of the University of London, the London School is an internationally recognized centre of excellence in public health, international health and tropical medicine with a remarkable depth and breadth of expertise. It is one of the highest-rated research institutions in the UK.