Patient records scheme delayed

Minister confirms two-year lag for NHS IT schedule

The minister leading government plans for electronic medical records for NHS patients has confirmed the project is at least two years behind schedule.

Lord Warner also says the total cost of the project will be about £20bn, including training and integration costs on top of the £6.2bn for the central National Programme for NHS IT.

Warner told the Financial Times the electronic records project would be rolled out in ‘late 2007 or early 2008’.

Delays have been caused by software problems as well as a dispute in the medical profession about what dates to include.

Related stories

Core plan safe from NHS cuts

NHS IT chief meets criticism

GP surgeries get choice of systems