Keep Tight Rein on IT Spending Warns UNISON

UNISON, the UK_s largest health union, today called on the Government to

keep a tight rein on the cost of the new NHS IT system or face widespread

anger from staff facing job cuts.

Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON, said:

“It is essential that we have IT systems capable of delivering first class

healthcare across the UK. At the moment staff waste a huge amount of time

paperchasing records or working with computer systems that don_t talk to

each other.

“However, at a time when our members are facing job cuts and redundancies

they will be shocked by the spiralling costs of the new scheme.

“The Government must keep a tight rein on costs or face widespread anger

from staff who will say that money could have been used to wipe out deficits

and improve patient care.”

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