NPfIT

[EqualOpportunities]

Any of you lot working on the NPfIT or Connect for Health (or is that the data spine?) or whatever the **** it's called at the moment?

I was hoping to get a piece of that pie at one point, but circumstances changed and I missed out - just wondered how it's going in general and whether there's much mileage left in it.

[Mordac]

MF was working on it at one point, and I think Jacko / Cojak might have done also. I still get calls occasionally, but BT, Accidenture and Fujitsu all pay sh1t rates, and most of the roles are based either in Leeds or Birmingham (nowhere near me) so I have never pursued any of them.
My neighbour was working for Crap Gemini up in Newcastle until recently, and he reckoned it was going rather badly (it's a government project split between 5 different service providers who have all subbed bits out to even more service providers so what the hell do they expect?).
Much mileage left in it? Learn Hindi and wait for the phone to ring.

[PerlOfWisdom]

I was on it - lots of time doing very simple tasks and the rest stressed out by 20 screaming managers every time the system had a hiccup.

Was great money at first but due to cost cutting, the rates are rubbish. They found that they could get UK people at quite low rates (less than the Indian companies were getting). I refused a big rate cut so am no longer there.

Saw lots of people escorted off the premises - often didn't find out the reason.

A lot of the work is shifts (12 hours, 4 on, 4 off, days and nights).

[DaveB]

I'm in there at the moment, seems to be going ok so far. Rates not bad, work is the same. Fairly relaxed atmosphere etc. The beaurocracy is mind boggling but thankfully it's not my problem

The biggest problem is working out who is supposed to be doing what!

Mind you I'm not on the development/release teams......

[Board Game Geek]

I was on the NPfIT project in Sep 2005 to Nov 2005, specifically Choose & Book installation in to GP Surgeries. I was contracted via Accenture.

In November, the C&B Deployments were complete to desktops in all surgeries (well at least on paper they were) and the 10 man team was disbanded.

However, as we we're all leaving out the door, my manager asked me to stay behind for a chat. One of the PCT's in the area wanted a full-time dedicated IT person to manage all their GP Practice's IT requirements. After a coffee and a chat I got the gig. Still on rolling 3 month contract, but with a different agency now.

For the last 3 months, I've been meeting my surgeries (approx 20), getting to know the Practice Managers, solving their day to day IT issues, and been fortunate to do other work where needed (N3 Migration, Map of Medicine Installation, etc).

The contract runs out March 31st, and there is a great concern that all these surgeries who have their own IT manager (ie me) will not have the level of support they currently enjoy anymore. Previously, all these surgeries has outsourced contracts for IT support with a number of 3rd party SME's. However, to create my role, all these contracts were terminated.

There is talk of turning my role permanent, which may or may not mean less money, but on the flip side, there is paid holiday, pension and perks to consider.

Sorry, I digress...back to the question about NPfIT....my experience has been that the project was a little shaky to begin with, as people were finding their feet and responsibilities, but now it seems much more stable and robust, with some very good key people in the right places making mostly good decisions.

Lessons have been learned, and things are moving forward a lot better now and I am optimistic of the outcome (regardless of the sensational doom and gloom the papers like to portray).

[Mustang]

Project management??

There were several roles for project managers advertised but all the agents I spoke to said NHS/medical experience was essential. At the time I felt this was BS - what's the opinion of anyone working on the project?

Is it really just a big IT project and therefore not necessary to have that medical experience or is it a valuable/relevant requirement?

[Board Game Geek]

NHS/medical experience was essential

In my opinion, it's BS, but what they really means is they want someone who can stand in from of the local PCT Finance and Operations Board and explain why only 4 of the 20 sites scheduled for N3 Connection have been achieved.

Ie...it's a highly political role...probably more so than a technical one.

I know most Project Managers are supposed to have above-than average skills in the political arena, but I don't know many who could effectively deal at Director-of-the Trust level. I very much doubt anyone on this board is in that league either. Corporate perhaps, but not Public Sector, which is in a league of its own

[Spartacus]

I know most Project Managers are supposed to have above-than average skills in the political arena, but I don't know many who could effectively deal at Director-of-the Trust level. I very much doubt anyone on this board is in that league either. Corporate perhaps, but not Public Sector, which is in a league of its own

Surely you are forgetting this board's very own big hitter - Chico?

[Board Game Geek]

Surely you are forgetting this board's very own big shitter - Chico?

/Pedantic mode off