The NHS spends too much on foreign IT systems and should “prioritise British business” instead, a former Tory health secretary has said. Steve Barclay suggested the health service was too reliant on overseas providers, particularly US tech giants, which can have higher fees. He said: “A government that claims to want to drive UK growth needs to stop spending money on overseas companies that are not committed to the NHS, and prioritise British business.
“A government that claims to want to cut wastage needs to ensure value for money for the taxpayer.” The MP for North East Cambridgeshire, who served as health secretary under Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, told the Telegraph that the NHS’s spending on electronic patient records was one example.
The technology is being used to replace historic IT systems and paper records, to make it easier for staff to access medical history at their fingertips.
Many NHS trusts use systems provided by US-based companies including Oracle Health, Altera and Veradigm Inc.
Mr Barclay added: “Harnessing technology and deploying it swiftly and effectively across the NHS could transform the service, cut waiting lists, and improve clinical outcomes.
“However, we can do this whilst getting more bang for the taxpayer buck. It needs to be the right technology, at the right price, designed with the specific needs of our NHS in mind.”
The former health minister’s intervention comes as NHS England faces major changes in leadership.
NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard has announced that she will leave the role at the end of March, four years after becoming the first woman to hold the post in 2021.
England’s top doctor, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, also announced this week that he will step down in July.
An NHS spokesman said: “While the NHS prioritises British businesses when appropriate, it is right we offer contracts based on what offers the best value for the taxpayer – in line with Cabinet Office procurement regulations.”