How much of that has gone into the (unwanted, unneeded and generally crap) NHS spine and 'connecting for health'? I'd say that IT is a huge chunk of that budget. I would imagine that a fair amount has gone on more expensive drugs that people expect to get no matter the cost. Also think on the cost of PFI hospitals... I'm not saying that the NHS as a whole is blameless - but it doesn't then follow that the government aren't a bunch of gits.