All records electronic by 2005

The move is part of an investment in information technology worth &\#163;700m over the next three years. The electronic health records will hold summarised key data about patients, including previous and on-going treatments, current medication, allergies and the date of future appointments. Five million people are set to benefit from the scheme by 2003, rising to about 25 million by 2004. By March 2005, every person in the country will have their own record. Mr Milburn said: 'The NHS is still in the last century when it comes to harnessing the benefits of new technology. This investment will help bring the NHS into the 21st century. The electronic health records will help put patients in control.' The records would be securely protected, he said, created with patient consent, with individual changes made only by authorised staff.