Written question asked by Lord Grayling (Conservative) on Tuesday, 21 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 November 2003. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Monday, 3 November 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the impact of using the Integrated Care Records System on the time general practitioners spend with patients.

Answer: Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the impact of using the integrated care records system on the time general practitioners spend with patients. [134288] Mr. Hutton: The package of new information technology applications and systems will greatly reduce the requirement for general practitioners to chase test results, referral letters, appointments, process non-standard summaries and information around prescriptions. The wasted time through patients failing to attend appointments will also be reduced. There are significant efficiency opportunities for GPs, and the high degree of computerisation across GP practices already collects and maintains much of the data that will become standard. The overall result will not be a reduction in the time GPs have available to spend with their patients. Indeed, the availability of accurate and up-to-date information through the integrated care records service will improve the quality of care that GPs are able to provide to their patients.

Secondary information