Scotland-wide PACS deal goes to Kodak

NHS Scotland has awarded a national contract to Eastman Kodak Company’s Health Group to deliver a picture archiving and communications systems (PACS) and information management solution (IMS) across Scotland. 

Under the deal, signed on Friday,  by 2008 every hospital in Scotland will gain the ability to easily access prior images and reports, regardless of where they were generated, to help radiologists deliver a faster, more accurate diagnosis.

Professor Stuart Bain, chief executive, National Services Scotland, said: “The ability to quickly share clinical information securely throughout the medical communities within Scotland will undoubtedly be of great benefit to both patients and staff alike.”

Implementation will begin with two sites in Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital, which includes the Institute of Neurological Sciences and the Victoria Infirmary. A phased rollout will follow over the next two and a half years with full deployment anticipated in 2008.

Kodak says that the deal is the largest PACS and IMS contract it has yet won. In England the company is a sub-contractor on PACS in the North West and West Midlands cluster of the NHS National Programme for IT where it is delivering Computed Radiography and Radiology Information Systems. The value of the ‘multi-million pound’ Scottish contract was not disclosed.

Kodak will deliver both systems and software to the Scotland National PACS project to facilitate efficient management of patient images and data, expansion of information sharing and improved workflow for the benefit of patient care

Under the PACS deal Kodak’s Carestream product will be deployed to 39 hospitals across Scotland and will be connected to an additional 67 satellite centres with X-ray departments, ultimately managing an estimated 3.2 million exams annually. Kodak will work with a number of third party vendors to deliver the project.

Two central data centres will be established to archive PACS data. These will use Kodak’s Carestream regional IMS, which will serve the 16 health boards across Scotland.

Ian Marron, Kodak Health’s director of eHealth Solutions, EAME, told E-Health Insider: “Winning this contract further reinforces Kodak’s leadership position in community based (multi site) PACS solutions across Europe. National Services Scotland undertook a most rigorous evaluation under EU procurement rules, before selecting Kodak for this contract. We are delighted to have been chosen ahead of so many respected PACS vendors.”

Jane Guinn, sales director for Kodak’s Health Group, UK and Ireland, said: “This is the latest in a number of major wins achieved by Kodak worldwide in the IT space. The healthcare information systems market offers a significant growth opportunity for Kodak and we are expanding our investment in this area of the business.”

Kodak’s contract win in NHS Scotland follows other major multi-site contract awards in France, England, Italy, Finland, and The Netherlands during the last 12 months.

Marron concluded: “Kodak Carestream PACS System 5 and Kodak Carestream Regional Information Management Solution are now becoming established as the industry benchmark for many national, regional or community based eHealth programmes in Europe, and beyond.”