Doctors question NHS IT priorities and lack of consultation about national plan

摘要

A key initiative for the NHS, to allow GPs and the public to book medical appointments electronically, has the firm support of fewer than 50% of doctors, a Computer Weekly survey has revealed. The result is grim news for the government which needs the support of a majority doctors if the project is to be a success. A national electronic booking system, supplied by Atos Origin (formerly SchlumbergerSema), is due to go live in the summer. E- booking is one of the government's highest priorities for the NHS, having been launched as a result of an IT seminar in Downing Street in February 2002 chaired by the prime minister, Tony Blair. By the end of 2005, electronic booking is due to re-place hospital waiting lists.