Focus on funding for Information management and technology - 3rd update
Annex B - Information technology for general practices: allocation of additional funding
17 February 2004
Gateway reference: 2159
Dear General Practitioner
One of the major benefits of the new General Medical Services contract is the opportunity it presents to modernise information management and technology in all types of general practice.
The contract agreement document 'Investing in General Practice' outlined how, over time, the new arrangements would lead to the transfer of ownership of IT systems from practices to Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). That process has already begun with the 100% funding by PCTs of maintenance and minor upgrades and will continue as systems incapable of supporting the new contract are replaced in their entirety and practices which had previously operated without IT support use the introduction of the new contract to change their procedures.
Last November I was able to announce additional funding of £20m to help PCTs meet the new commitments and I am pleased to now be able to add to that with a further £30m of capital funding which will be allocated directly to PCTs to help support, in particular, the replacement of legacy systems, the purchase of systems for those new to IT and the purchasing by the PCT of items of kit needed by practices.
In your area [PCT to complete before forwarding to practices] has been allocated to the PCT. This sum has been arrived at with the help of the Chief Information Officer of the Strategic Health Authority, and bids previously submitted by your PCT, via their SHA, to the Department of Health, to make sure that it will provide the necessary resources to meet your entitlements.
The new contract offers you all a great opportunity and the additional funding we are putting into IM&T is a practical demonstration of our commitment to helping you achieve the maximum benefits from it.