Suppliers sought for new NHS information systems framework

Procurement of clinical information systems to be streamlined

NHS Shared Business Services (SBS) is calling for suppliers of healthcare information systems to apply for a place on a cross-NHS £1.25bn procurement framework to go live by the end of the year.

Peter Akid, director of procurement at NHS SBS, said in an announcement that all NHS Trusts would use the new six-year national framework when they wanted to procure clinical information systems.

"This initiative represents how a more strategic approach to procurement frameworks, based on a thorough examination of what trusts will actually need in the future, can deliver far greater savings and benefits," Akid said.

"These are expensive specialist systems; trusts need to have the confidence that their chosen suppliers will deliver. With this in mind, we will manage the framework, including rigorous supplier testing to ensure complete governance and a compliant route to market."

Akid said the framework would reduce costs as well as open up greater opportunity for vendors and resellers, which are being asked to apply for six lots no later than 23 September: core clinical information systems; theatre clinical systems; integrated emergency-care clinical systems; child-health systems; maternity systems; and specialist e-prescription systems.

By using the new framework, trusts will avoid the usual 12-month Official Journal of the EU (OJEU) process, which can costs "tens of thousands" of pounds.

"For suppliers, the framework will provide greater opportunities by opening up the market to them, and they will ultimately benefit by not incurring the expenditure that would potentially be involved with submitting individual tenders," Akid said.

NHS SBS had been working with trusts and other clients in recent months to identify their specific needs around "these complex and specialist systems".

"This, combined with our procurement expertise, has given us the confidence to know we can procure a national framework that nonetheless can still be tailored to meet the local needs of each trust," he said.