NHS system passes second check-up...just

The Integrated Care Records System (ICRS) at the heart of the NHS national technology programme has passed the second stage of its official review process, but with reservations.

ICRS will draw together local electronic patient record projects and allow health professionals and social care workers to access clinical information such as x-rays from anywhere in the country.

The project is passing through the six-stage Gateway process managed by Westminster buying arm the Office of Government Commerce (OGC), which examines the progress of public sector IT initiatives. ICRS has completed Gateway One, which focuses on the justification for the business case.

Resourcing of the project is believed to be an area of concern for the OGC purchasing specialists. The extra funding announced in this year's budget will not be released until April 2003.

The Department of Health (DoH) says ICRS is moving towards procurement, development and delivery of the service, though no dates have been set.

'The message from the OGC was to proceed with caution and several constructive and helpful recommendations came out of the review around the best way of proceeding with the project,' said a DoH spokeswoman.

'The recommendations mainly highlighted issues the programme was already addressing, for instance the need to strengthen the national programme project resource. Remedial action to address the recommendations is underway,' she said.

The NHS National Programme has completed Gateway stages Zero and One, and is awaiting Gateway Two. The electronic appointment booking project has undergone Gateways Zero, One and Two. Electronic prescriptions will begin the review process in early 2003. And the reprocurement of NHSnet will undergo gateway review next year.