EXCLUSIVE: Secret plans for shake-up of the National Programme for IT suggest £12.7billion scheme will be axed

21/06/2010

The troubled NHS National Programme for IT could be at risk after this week’s budget announcement, with insiders suggesting that the Government is poised to throw in the towel and axe the scheme altogether.

In an exclusive interview with a key source, Binley’s sister brand, HES, revealed on Thursday that the rollout is to be wound down by the new coalition government in a bid to avoid increasing spending on the project, which has already gone over its £12.7billion budget.

As part of the shake-up, Connecting for Health, the agency responsible for delivering the programme, will also be rebranded.

The tough measures will give NHS trusts more autonomy in procuring the IT solutions which are said to be crucial to delivering better quality services and making the cash efficiencies being demanded by Whitehall chiefs.

For the full story, and comments from leading insiders, visit the HES website by clicking on the link below.

http://www.hesmagazine.com/show.php?page=story&id=1880&story=1880