IT blunders at NHS cause dangerous delays

Patients have missed operations and urgent consultations because of a botched NHS computer system, documents revealed today.

Glitches in the £13billion IT system have meant delays for scores of patients across London, including 11 suspected cancer sufferers.

Health officials today admitted more problems are likely as the new database is introduced throughout the capital.

Geoff Martin, of pressure group Health Emergency, said: "The whole computerisation of NHS records has been a disaster from start to finish. This latest evidence will reinforce the public view that this rollout has been seriously flawed."

The system is the world's biggest IT project but it has been hit by a series of crises. Now official documents reveal that patients are being put at risk as operations are cancelled and targets missed.

A report to Enfield Primary Care Trust shows that difficulties with the system meant it did not have data identifying patients on waiting lists.

As a result, at least 63 patients at Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust had their operations delayed, according to documents obtained by Computer Weekly magazine.

A spokesman for NHS London said: "We are aware that during initial stages of implementation there were some difficulties.

"We are confident that Londoners will see the true value of the improved IT system in the coming months and years."