Further gateway reviews released

The gateway reviews cover a number of projects at the Department of Health

Government buying agency the Office of Government Commerce has released the gateway reviews for a number of high-risk IT projects within the Home Office, Department of Health and the Department for Work and Pensions.

The reviews were published in response to a freedom of information request for them made over three years ago.

After a protracted legal battle the OGC has recently released a number of other gateway reviews relating to the ID cards programme and the NHS National Programme for IT over the summer.

They award a red, amber or green status to projects based on their readiness for moving ahead.

They include a "red" status awarded to electronic booking systems as part of the NHS National Programme for IT.

It recommends that: "The deployment plans are reviewed taking account of experience to date, current constraints, and local capability."

Another review of the N3 broadband network for the NHS awards it an "amber" status. That review recommends "a senior responsible owner" be appointed as soon as possible.

Two reviews of the ID cards programme award it an "amber" status and recommend "setting out the case in a more strategic way" and highlights that the "new agency" for delivery should be made responsible for the "wider identity management scheme".

The recommendation was adopted and the agency became the Identity and Passport Service.

A Home Office plan for a single non-emergency number was awarded an "amber" status and it is recommended that a "commonly shared vision" for the project be agreed between the police, the Home Office and local government.