In the recently released Department of Health Mandate, several objectives are laid out concerning the use of IT in the NHS:

In a digital age, it is crucial that the NHS not only operates at the limits of medical science, but also increasingly at the forefront of new technologies. The Board’s objective is to achieve a significant increase in the use of technology to help people manage their health and care. In particular, the Government expects that by March 2015:

• everyone who wishes will be able to get online access to their own health records held by their GP. The Board should promote the implementation of electronic records in all health and care settings and should work with relevant organisations to set national information standards to support integration;

• clear plans will be in place to enable secure linking of these electronic health and care records wherever they are held, so there is as complete a record as possible of the care someone receives;

• clear plans will be in place for those records to be able to follow individuals, with their consent, to any part of the NHS or social care system;

• everyone will be able to book GP appointments and order repeat prescriptions online;

• everyone will be able to have secure electronic communication with their GP practice, with the option of e-consultations becoming much more widely available;

• significant progress will be made towards three million people with long-term conditions being able to benefit from telehealth and telecare by 2017; supporting them to manage and monitor their condition at home, and reducing the need for avoidable visits to their GP practice and hospital.