Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

NHS Trusts: Digital Infrastructure 2026-07-14

Tuesday 14 July 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government will invest up to 10 billion in NHS technology and transformation by 2028-29.
  • Agreed plans exist to replace the North West Anglia NHS foundation trust's electronic patient record system and supporting infrastructure.
  • The single patient record introduced through the Health Bill will enable systems across the NHS to be linked up.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Pakes Labour (Co-op)
NHS Science & Technology
Context

The MP is concerned about the lack of digital infrastructure improvements in NHS trusts, which impacts patient care and administrative efficiency.

Question

What steps he is taking to improve access to digital infrastructure for NHS trusts. It is welcome that the Government are making progress on digital infrastructure and the single patient record, which is good news for patients and for the NHS, but patients in Peterborough risk missing out on some of the benefits because of the poor state of the local hospital and the North West Anglia NHS foundation trust's IT.

Answer from James Murray

This Government will invest up to £10 billion in NHS technology and transformation by 2028-29. That includes ambient voice technology and the single patient record system. We have agreed plans to replace the trust's electronic patient record system and supporting infrastructure, providing practical support and guidance including help with costs.

Answered
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Q2 Andrew Pakes Labour (Co-op)
NHS
Context

The MP notes that patients in Peterborough face issues with poor local hospital IT and seeks reassurance on government support to improve this situation.

Question

Patients in Peterborough risk missing out on some of the benefits because of the poor state of the local hospital and the North West Anglia NHS foundation trust's IT. What reassurance can he give that the Department will work with the NWAFT to ensure that we have the infrastructure we need in Peterborough, so that patients in my constituency benefit the most?

Answer from James Murray

My hon. Friend has been a determined advocate for patients and staff at the North West Anglia NHS foundation trust. We agreed plans to replace the trust's electronic patient record system and supporting infrastructure, providing practical support and guidance including help with costs.

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Q3 Katie Lam Con
NHS
Context

The MP spent a day with the palliative care team at William Harvey hospital and observed outdated systems causing inefficiencies.

Question

I spent a day last week with the palliative care team at William Harvey hospital in Ashford, which serves a large chunk of my constituency. They were clicking through on really old systems all on pdf, taking up time that could be spent on clinical care due to evolving technology.

Answer from James Murray

The hon. Lady makes a compelling case for investment in digital infrastructure. The single patient record introduced through the Health Bill will enable systems across the NHS to be linked up, so people no longer have to repeat their stories or have health records linked up when clinicians decide how to treat them.

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