Written question asked by Lord Barker of Battle (Conservative) on Tuesday, 29 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 November 2002. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Thursday, 7 November 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what (a) quantity and (b) proportion of patient records are computer-based; and what (i) quantity and (ii) proportion of cancer patient records are computer-based.

Answer: Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) quantity and (b) proportion of patient records are computer-based; and what (i) quantity and (ii) proportion of cancer patient records are computer- based. [78948] Mr. Hutton: The National Health Service has made significant strides in using information technology to support patient care. Although not individually counted as individual records, the majority of general practitioners have clinical systems containing patient specific information, hospitals have patient administration systems which hold both clinical and demographic information about patients. There are also a number of national applications that support national screening programmes, organ donation and the work of the blood authority. It is not possible, however, to provide details of the quantity or proportion of cancer patients who have computer based records but the majority will have records in both the primary and secondary care arena which contain information about their specific diagnosis.

Secondary information