Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) pursuant to the pre-Budget report, Cm 7747, what discussions his Department has had with (a) HM Treasury and (b) suppliers to the National Programme for IT on changes to the National Programme for IT budgets; and on what dates such meetings took place;
Answer
Since its inception, the Department has consulted and communicated with its national health service stakeholders, including clinicians, senior NHS managers and information management and technology staff, and the medical professional representative and health regulatory bodies, on a frequent and regular basis about all aspects of the NHS information technology programme. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State has also often discussed issues relating to the programme in his regular meetings with the Chancellor.As part of the current Government-wide drive to find efficiency savings and better value for money on major projects, officials are holding ongoing discussions with the Treasury, and with suppliers, about how these might be generated in relation to the national programme.