IT'S like balancing plates - that is how one health chief described trying to implement a new Government system to book hospital appointments from GP surgeries across mid Essex.

Doctors are struggling to roll out the new system as it is dogged with technical problems and delays.

One GP has refused to use the system and health chiefs heard that the east of England has one of the worst take-up rates in the country.

The system is designed to allow patients to choose a hospital or clinic and book an appointment with a specialist while they are with their GP. It is supposed to offer patients more choice through a more efficient system.

More than 6,800 appointments have been booked through the system and 45 practices have gone live, but some GPs have stopped using it because of technical problems, which include slow connection times, especially at lunchtimes.

The target was to have 90 per cent of appointments booked though this system by March, but the predicted amount is 45 per cent.

Catherine Turner gave a presentation to the Mid Essex Primary Care Trust and explained that, although the area has a good roll-out rate for the east of England, the region has one of the lowest take-up rates in the country because of technical problems being experienced by GPs nationwide.

She said: "The choose and book system is a bit like balancing plates - you get one GP on board and then one drops off for various reasons.

"Around lunchtime it's unbelievably slow.

"GPs say when it works, it is an absolutely fantastic product.

"The frustration iis doctors are expected to use it when patients are in consultation which can hold up their consultation times.

"They are coming around to using the system. They are seeing the benefits but they want the computer equipment to be good."

Non-executive director David Bagnall said: "It's surprising that anyone is using it all."

Another member of the board, Tonia Parsons, said: "The big issue is hearts and minds.

"We need to win over the hearts and minds of doctors who will then go out and sell the idea to their colleagues."

North and South Essex Local Medical Committees chief executive Dr Brian Balmer said: "You talk about winning over the hearts and minds of GPs, but they are normal people. If it is a good idea which works, they will go for it."