asked the Minister for Health if his Department intend to create what may virtually be a monopoly situation in relation to the supply of computer systems for Irish hospitals; if so, on what basis; if he is aware of the grave disquiet among Irish computer companies at this possibility; if he is further aware that the technology proposed by a firm (details supplied) is at least ten years old and that it is the considered opinion of recognised experts in this field that this will soon be obsolete as it is being superseded by the VAX range and as the maintenance of PDP/11 hardware beyond 1990, may be a problem; and if the opportunity to tender for laboratory computerisation in Irish hospitals will be given to a firm (details supplied).
Written Answers. - Computer Systems for Hospitals.
347.
There is no question of monopoly at this stage. The project group (set up under the review body for computerisation in Government services) were satisfied that McAuto's integrated system represents the correct choice at present. If alternative systems become available in the future, there is absolutely nothing to prevent their evaluation and selection.
The project group went to considerable lengths to establish the stability and reliability of any supplier or product chosen.
I must explain that what was being sought for Irish hospitals was an integrated system, one which would administer the different areas of a hospital, viz patient recording, pharmacy, X-ray, laboratory, catering etc. It must be made quite clear that the product in question is simply not "made" in Ireland. There is no question of being able to buy it from an Irish company (other than as agents).
While the PDP-11 range first appeared in 1970, the PDP-11/44, for the hospital area, is a more advanced development in the series and was first produced in 1979. It is, therefore, a machine which has been on the market for the past four years, which hardly suggests obsolescence.
During 1982 a total of 1,529 PDP-11/44's were sold by DEC on the European market alone and world wide sales of PDP-11/44's in 1982 was of the order of 5,000 configurations.
Digital is committed to the parallel development and sale of the PDP-11 and VAX ranges. In fact the PDP-11/44 was announced as a new product at the same time as the VAX 750.
Over 300,000 PDP-11 computers have been installed which will ensure its support for many years to come. Digital guarantee seven years' maintenance support on all products from the date of the last customer shipment. Digital point out, however, that the PDP-8 which preceded the PDP-11 series and was first produced in 1965 is still in widespread use and still enjoys full on-call maintenance support after almost 20 years.
The integrated system chosen provides administration for the laboratory area and, as appropriate, will interface with any specific items of equipment such as auto-analysers. There is, therefore, no need at this stage to seek tenders for laboratory computerisation.