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Nicola Sturgeon criticised over “shambolic” NHS IT system

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

A former GP has described the government’s handling of IT systems for projects including NHS 24 as the “most shambolic” ever seen.

Staff at the medical helpline had to resort to using pens and paper when the new system suffered technical difficulties at the end of last month.

The cost of the system has risen to £117 million, which Tory MSP Liz Smith yesterday said is 55% up on the original estimate.

She said at first minister’s questions: “Last month, in its update on the management of the information technology contract for NHS 24, Audit Scotland said that the total cost of the future programme had risen by 55% on the original cost predicted more than two years ago.

“That increase was mainly due to the costs of delayed implementation.

“A further delay to the new IT system was announced last Friday. Can the first minister tell the parliament what the cost to the taxpayer of this mismanaged project will now be, and can she give a categorical assurance that patient care will not be put in jeopardy over the winter?”

Nicola Sturgeon, who yesterday marked her one-year anniversary as first minister, admitted it was a “very disappointing” decision to drop the NHS 24 IT system, but said it was “taken in the interests of patient safety”.

She added: “The new system has not been abandoned, I think it’s important to stress, the implementation has been paused to allow issues to be resolved.”

Labour MSP Richard Simpson, a former doctor, said Audit Scotland had already been “highly critical of the government’s management of large ICT projects.”

He said: “They are the most shambolic systems I have ever seen.”

Earlier, Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Willie Rennie said Ms Sturgeon faces growing opposition over plans to bring national testing back into schools, but she said the results will provide evidence to help them raise attainment.

The Scottish Government says it will find £880million to meet the costs of doubling free childcare after Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson accused them of being slow to back up the pledge.