Concerns raised over communication on national programme for IT
Concerns by senior NHS managers about the progress of the national
programme for IT are highlighted in an article published in the BMJ (2005;
331:331).
Trusts are uncertain about the schedules for implementation of the project,
staff
believe that they have been neglected and the overall timetable is unrealistic,
say researchers who conducted interviews in four NHS trusts in England
at various stages of implementing electronic health records.
Communication between the programme headquarters, local service providers
and trust managers was reported to be a major concern. Managers reported
feeling ignored and, in turn, were reluctant to communicate the benefits
of the programme to front line staff without being able to answer their
questions about what services will be supplied and by when.
Hospital pharmacists are among those who are concerned about the lack
of information filtering down to the front line. Graeme Richardson, head
of pharmacy, North Tyneside General Hospital, Northumbria Healthcare
NHS Trust, sits on the Guild of Healthcare Pharmacists IT specialist
interest group.
He told The Journal: “Health care professionals within pharmacy
do not believe that they have had a huge opportunity to contribute to
the design, planning and implementation of the programme. The guild’s
IT interest group is trying to be proactive and move things forward but
colleagues report frustration at not being able to get their ideas and
opinions considered.”
He said that many pharmacists are keen to be involved in the project,
but there is a high level of uncertainty about what is happening and
what the timescales will be.
A spokesman for NHS Connecting for Health commented: “The BMJ’s
paper pre-empts a major communications campaign due to commence in September.
“This will inform and educate both NHS staff and the public about
the changes and benefits that the new technologies will bring.”
Concerns were also raised in the BMJ paper about the loss of existing
electronic functionality during the transition period and maintaining
goodwill with existing suppliers. The researchers say that optimal delivery
of the project depends on sociocultural considerations as well as technical
capability and that programme officials should urgently revisit their
priorities. |
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