Disappointment; GPS SNUB NHS E-BOOK PLAN.Byline: OONAGH BLACKMAN Political Editor A NEW system of booking appointments to let patients choose which hospital to go to is being snubbed by family doctors, says a report. Out of 9.4million patients last year, only 63 were referred for non-emergency treatment through the Government's e-booking plan. The Choose and Book system was meant to give people a choice of four or five hospitals where they could be sent to see a specialist. But many GPs are sceptical of the idea, fearing it could breach patient confidentiality patient confidentiality Medical practice A Pt's right to privacy and freedom from public dissemination of information that the Pt regards as being of a personal nature. See HIPAA, Medical privacy. - and nearly a third of hospitals have no plans to use it, says a National Audit Office report. BMA BMA British Medical Association. General Practitioners Committee chairman Dr Hamish Meldrum said: "There is still a lot of work to be done before GPs are convinced the Choose and Book initiative will be successful. "They feel they are working in an information desert and will need much more detail and experience of what is involved before they can be convinced of the benefits. "Many GPs are not completely satisfied the system will protect patient confidentiality and will not have confidence in it until this is properly addressed." By now 205,000 referrals should have been logged under the pounds 196million system. But the paltry figure of 63 means a Government pledge of giving every patient more choice by this December could be scuppered. The problem was made worse by a lack of compatibility between computers in GP clinics and hospitals and the central e-booking system. And a survey of 1,500 family doctors found half of them knew little about the patient choice plan. NAO NAO National Audit Office (UK government) NAO North Atlantic Oscillation NAO National Astronomical Observatory (Japan) NAO North American Operations NAO non-asbestos organic head Sir John Bourn Sir John Bourn is an officer of the British House of Commons. He is the current holder of the office of Comptroller and Auditor General and, as such, is head of the National Audit Office. said: "The Department of Health must take urgent and effective action to inform GPs about the arrangements." Tory MP and Public Accounts Committee chief Edward Leigh branded the progress being made to reach the target "abysmal". But Health Minister John Hutton insisted the system will work. He said: "We have intensified our efforts to engage with GPs. "More than 2,500 have already been involved in developing systems to support choice and booking. This will increase." The Government hoped e-booking would cut the number of missed NHS NHS abbr. National Health Service NHS (in Britain) National Health Service appointments which cost pounds 100million a year. CAPTION(S): FEARS: Dr Hamish Meldrum |
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