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NEWS: Geoff Watts The man with the IT plan BMJ 2005; 331: 310 [Full text]

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The man with the IT plan

Dr Robert Anderson   (5 August 2005)

London Sewer System is Not good analogy for the IT plan

Andrew wijnberg   (5 August 2005)

The man with the IT plan 5 August 2005
Dr Robert Anderson, retired scientist Tauranga 3001 Send response to journal: Re: The man with the IT plan	If he is not doing so already may I suggest he uses open software (Linux). This will reduce the headaches in this task considerably. Competing interests: None declared
London Sewer System is Not good analogy for the IT plan 5 August 2005
Andrew wijnberg, gp birmingham b45 9jt Send response to journal: Re: London Sewer System is Not good analogy for the IT plan	The construction of the London Sewer system was bricks and mortar, a permanent capital investment. The NHS IT plan will have no value whatsoever if it fails, and is in effect, a cyberspace construction. The reason for the collapse of the shareprices of the internet based industries in recent years was partly due to the fact that people forgot the fact that these industries have no value whatsoever unless they turn a profit, as there are no worthwhile assets. The same will be the case with the NHS IT speculative venture. The devil in this new system will be found in the DETAIL of how actually doctors will enter data, agree READ coding, and synchronise systems. Unfortunately the things which could and should be done NOW to improve communications links and reduce medicolegal risk have been put on hold. Hold tight fellow clinicians: it will be a very interesting ride! Competing interests: None declared