The government has launched a £500m plan to wire up the NHS to the internet revolution, with the aim of improving standards of care and speeding up access to treatment and health information.
The four-year strategy promises a electronic booking system for appointments, electronic medical records, video and tele-consultations for patients, and electronically transmitted laboratory test results.
All doctors, nurses and clinical support staff will be hooked up to the net within two years, while remaining NHS staff will have workplace access to the internet and email within four years. Both professionals and patients will have access to "trustworthy and clearly (NHS) branded advice and information" on healthcare on the internet allowing staff to keep up to date with medical practice and enabling patients to be involved in their own care.
The strategy, entitled Building the Information Core - Implementing the NHS Plan, promises a "vibrant, networked" NHS by 2005.
But it warns that the NHS will have to undergo massive cultural change to the way it works if it is to take advantage of the internet.
It warns: "There is a major behavioural, cultural change and organisational development challenge in redesigning care services around the individual, and establishing a 'network NHS'. "Everyone - individuals, multi-disciplinary teams and care organisations - will need to think through the way that they work."
Ministers are convinced that increased use of electronic communications will cut out much of the delays and inefficiencies in accessing NHS care that frustrate patients.
GPs will be able to book hospital appointments for their patients directly by internet at the time of their consultation, rather than though a protracted exchange of letters through the post.
The strategy says this will give patients "more choice and convenience, with less wasted time through cancelled operations and improved management of waiting lists".
Tele-links to hospital specialists from the GP surgery will allow patients to get on the spot expert advice on their condition, rather than having to travel into hospital.
Laboratory test results will be ordered and received electronically, "giving patients less delay and worry and clinicians less bureaucracy with earlier diagnosis and treatment and improved outcomes".
Electronic patient records - possibly held on "smart cards" - will be introduced, allowing staff access to individual medical histories "to enable them to provide the highest quality care when and where it is needed".
Hospital trusts will be expected to provide varying levels of internet access to all staff, varying from desk top personal computers for medical secretaries to hand held mobile phones for community nurses.
Health secretary Alan Milburn said the strategy would make technology central to patient care, rather than "something to be left to the IT specialists".
Mr Milburn added: "Patients will see a difference. They will have access to quality and trustworthy information on personal care and local health services They will make appointments quickly and conveniently through a national booking system.
"They will have easy access to their personal medical records. They will receive reminders before appointments and proactive calls to help them manage their medicines or treatment.
"They will have the confidence and reassurance that the professionals referring, diagnosing and caring for them are working with the best quality knowledge about their condition and treatment."
