Computer system delays must not affect patient care - Webb

6.30.08pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 30th May 2006

Commenting on Lord Warner's admission that the NHS IT programme will cost billions more than anticipated, with some parts running over two and a half years late, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Steve Webb MP said "This is a shocking admission by a Government, which changes its mind on the cost and start date of this programme almost weekly. As well as confessing to further delays and a lack of cooperation from the medical professionals who must make the system work, the minister has now admitted that the system will cost a further £15 billion - a cost which he says must be met locally using existing IT budgets. But what impact will this have on hospitals already struggling with mounting debts?

"Hospitals need to know exactly when the system will be delivered so that the transition will not affect patient care."