IT Managers Reveal Fears About National Programme

A survey of NHS IT managers reveals concerns about their ability to carry through the reforms of the National Programme for IT (NPfIT) and fears about their own future within the NHS. There is, however, wide support for the National Programme itself.

The poll was conducted by the Association for ICT Professionals in Healthcare (ASSIST) and the Health Service Journal. Results are drawn from 306 responses to a mailing of 2,400 IT employees or consultants to the NHS – a 13% response which the organisers say makes the results statistically reliable.

Top concerns include a perception that the funding may be insufficient, lack of guidance about National Programme priorities and fears about staff transfers out of the NHS.

ASSIST chairman, Tony Eardley, said: “This is the first snapshot of the mood of ICT staff since the start of the Programme and it should help focus the Department [of Health] on what needs to be done to win the confidence of ICT professionals who will be responsible for delivering the programme on the ground.

”While there’s a definite consensus supporting the rationale behind the Programme, staff are broadly saying three things: we need more resources at local level; more certainty about future employment arrangements and clearer guidance about the responsibility for the change management agenda.”

Mr Eardley warned that without the back-up and reassurance the managers were seeking, the full range of benefits for patients might not be delivered.

”Many of the concerns expressed in this survey could be rectified by better communications and that is the message which I think has been heard. ASSIST is already preparing for a follow-up survey with the Office of the NPfIT.”

The survey’s detailed questions about local circumstances tend to confirm the view that planning blight has hampered progress in many places. 63% of the respondents reported difficulties in progressing IT improvements and more than half cited lack of resources and lack of guidance as key problems. Flagship projects are reported to be suffering particularly, including electronic patient records, system upgrades and the introduction of e-booking.

Other findings include:
• Heavier workloads with 45% reporting substantial increases;
• Financial problems. Respondents believed their budgets would increase by 5% next year and 50% thought this would not be enough;
• 73% of respondents believed there would be insufficient capacity to deliver the Programme. Only 7% believed they had enough capacity;
• Respondents expressed strong opposition to staff transfers out to external contractors with 75% unhappy at the prospect of moving personally and 71% believing no NHS staff should be transferred. A spokesman said opposition was less pronounced in London where there appeared to be more mobility between the NHS and contractors.

The survey form was sent out UK wide but the vast majority of responses came from England.