National Programme for IT in England: Complications and Implications

Abstract

National Experiences in Telemedicine and eHealth: The National Programme for IT (NPfIT) in England is being billed as being the largest single civilian IT Project on the planet. The cost of the procurement alone was 6.2 billion (Euros 10 billion) and it is estimated that the full cost of implementation may cost 10 times that figure over the next 10 years. In a project of such complexity and scope, the technology acquisition is often the easiest part. The implementation phase of the NPfIT is proving to be challenging, not least because the large systems integrators who are contracted to implement the programme - have different perceptions as to the best way to manage the process in their respect geographical regions. There are a number of risks associated with this programme, which where possible - have been mitigated. Critical to success has been the acceptance of the process change in working practices by the clinical communities on the ground and this has proved much more difficult than was anticipated hitherto. The current state of the implementation phase of this national eHealth programme will be discussed and the challenges and risks will be addressed and discussed.