UK Government investment in UK GPs computer systems

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 01 Feb 2004 - 0:00 PDT


Health Minister (UK) John Hutton today announced that an extra £30 million is being made available to ensure GPs' IT systems are ready for the implementation of the new GP contracts in April.

The new money is in addition to the £20m already committed to primary care IT under the new contract agreement. All GPs' will now be able to have in place the IT systems to process the clinical data that is central to the new quality-based contracts, bringing improvements not only to patient care but also to GPs' rewards.

Mr. Hutton said:

'We are on course to see the new GMS contracts implemented by April and this is good news for GPs and patients. The extra money we are making available for IT will play an important part in that on-going implementation process.

'This additional funding will allow Primary Care Trusts the flexibility to meet the full costs of maintenance and upgrades, and also to make absolutely sure that all practices have systems that can support the new contract.

'The new primary care contracts offer us the opportunity to deliver a significant improvement in health services offered in primary care and we know that GPs and PCTs are working hard to make this a reality.'

John Hutton will be writing to GPs next week to inform them of how much extra IT funding their Primary Care Trusts have been allocated.

Notes to editors:

1) The extra resources announced today provide specific funding for the replacement of pre-RFA99 'legacy' systems, the implementation of systems for non-computerised practices and general funding for agreed major upgrades.

2) For media enquiries only please contact Brad Smythe on (+44) (0) 20 7210 5301.

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