My honourable friend the Minister of State, Department of Health (Ben Bradshaw), has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

The Government have today laid before Parliament their response to the Health Select Committee Report on the electronic patient record and its use (Cm 7264).

In the response, the Government welcome the committee's findings on the potential of electronic patient records to improve healthcare services and patient safety. While significant progress has already been made, it is recognised that some parts of the national programme for IT in the National Health Service have been subject to delay. The Government also recognise that continuing effort is needed to engage with frontline NHS staff and to communicate the programme plans to the public.

The response is available in the Library.