Dr M Trowell <[log in to unmask]> writes on GP-UK
(Mark, may I copy this reply to RCGP and NHSCCC?)
>I caught the end of this story on Radio 4 the other morning. They said UKP 19
>million had been lost trying to set up some GP computing system, which had now
>been abandoned. Anyone know what this was all about?
The article was probably about the National Audit report on the Purchase
and development of Read Codes. If that is what they said, then clearly
they are wrong on a number of counts...
UKP 19 million was not "lost", but "spent" between 1990 and 1997 on the
running of the Centre (NHSCCC) AND its various projects, including the
Clinical Terms Project, Nursing Terms Project, Professions Allied to
Medicine Project, development of version 3, maintenance and development
of earlier Read Code versions, and mapping Version 3 and Version 2 to
ICD, OPCS and fundholding terms. The projects have made use of over
2,000 clinicians with over 50 Specialty Working Groups to create the
terms needed to support NHS Information systems. I chair the GP
Specialty Working Group.
It is NOT just about a "GP computing system" but a comprehensive set of
terms to support all areas of patient care in the NHS. We are world
leaders here.
It has not been "abandoned". In fact Read Version 3 is likely, at last,
to be mandated for the NHS, and about time too.
The report does highlight some major deficiencies which should not be
minimised, as I said in a message to the NHSCCC listservers and the
RCGP informatics group server...
The report criticises:
1. the lack of clear business case for Read Codes before purchase in
1990
2. the potential conflict of interests with James Read having a dual
role as Director of CCC and Chairman of CAMS
3. serious shortcomings in management at CCC, particularly around the
use of self-employed status, lack of short-listing and other personnel
issues
The report does say frequently that these areas have been addressed
"since [NAO] started their report" and that the new NHS IM&T strategy
will "reconsider the question of mandating Version 3 of the Codes for
use in the NHS". The NHS Executive have commissioned a wider cost-
benefit analysis by the "Economics and Research Branch of the NHS
Executive".
The report mentions the international interest in Read Version 3, and
the evaluation work that has been done.
There clearly are some management questions to answer, but the
publishing of the report should be a welcome end to the years of
uncertainty. Mistakes were made. It will shortly be the time to look
to the future...
--
Jon Rogers
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