'Major problems' with NHS IT system

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Doubts over the National Programme for IT (NPfIT) - the biggest civilian computer project in history - are rife among staff and the benefits are still unclear, according to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Chairman Edward Leigh urged the Department of Health to get a grip before the scheme slid out of control.

"Urgent remedial action is needed at the highest level if the long-term interests of NHS patients and taxpayers are to be protected," he said.

"The programme is not looking good. The electronic patient clinical record, which is central to the project, is already running two years late.

"The suppliers are struggling to deliver. Scepticism is rife among the NHS clinicians whose commitment to the programme is essential to its success.

"And, four years down the line, the costs and benefits for the local NHS are unclear."

Mr Leigh indicated that no-one could be confident the massive cost estimate of £12 billion would not be exceeded.

He insisted the "time for talking had ended" and if suppliers could not resolve problems with the patient records system - which will contain details of more than 50 million people - local trusts should be freed to develop alternatives.

The PAC's report on NPfIT found that the project - expected to cost £12.4 billion by 2013-14 - could revolutionise the way the NHS in England uses information if successful. However, failure would set IT development back years and divert much needed money from patients.