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Camden News - by TOM FOOT
Published: 11 September 2008

Free considers claim over ‘computer chaos’

ROYAL Free bosses are considering filing for compensation after months of chaos followed the hospital’s introduction of a new computer system.
Minutes from a Hampstead Trust board meeting show members discussing who is to blame for shortcomings in the new patient booking system.
Chief executive Andrew Way said £300,000 from its reserves had been spent since The Royal Free was the first hospital to introduce the Cerner patients record system in June.
The board was told the figure was expected to rise, putting “further pressure” on the 2008/09 budget.
Hundreds of patient admissions have been wrongly booked or simply lost in the system.
An internal report into Cerner last month revealed fears from medical staff that the system was putting patients’ health at risk.
Minutes said: “One trust was known to be seeking compensation and it would be interesting to see what the outcome of the claim will be.
“The trust is continuing to log all the problems which had been encountered to be used in the event that a claim proves possible.
“There are still bugs in the system.”
A spokesman said: “Many of the problems we saw in the early weeks are now resolved.”

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