50 suppliers on updated NHS Supply Chain imaging framework

A new national framework contract for clinical systems has been released, covering more than 50 suppliers with a focus on imaging.

NHS Supply Chain, the NHS logistics service run by DHL, has developed the framework to replace its existing picture and archiving and communications systems framework, which has been in use since 2012. 

Matthew Johnson, from NHS Supply Chain, said hundreds of contracts had been signed using the previous framework, which was created to help trusts exit their National PACS Programme contracts as this part of the National Programme for IT came to an end.

However, feedback from trusts indicated that they wanted a wider range of products to complement their core PACS and RIS systems. “It stays within scope, but it is across many more departments,” he said of the new framework.

The government's 'paperless 2020' goal had also stimulated interest among trusts in adopting a wider range of digital solutions, he said. “The digital marketplace has matured to the point where everyone wants to be part of this.”

The framework now covers digital solutions for: image management, departmental information systems, clinical information systems, vendor neutral archiving, document management, specialist apps, e-prescribing and genomics.

The number of suppliers has more than doubled from 24 to 52. However, while the framework covers a wider range of department-based products it does not include enterprise-wide solutions, such as a patient administration system or an electronic patient record.

NHS Supply Chain is one of several government or government-associated organisations that provide NHS support services, including procurement services that are intended to lower the burden and cost of procurement for trusts and to leverage economies of scale.

NHS Shared Business Services also provides national frameworks, and several regional frameworks have been set up to create a common standard for procurement across a specified health economy.

These include the Clinical Digital Information Systems Framework, developed by a consortium of trusts in London, but available as blueprint for other regions.

Suppliers on the new NHS Supply Chain framework are:
* Accenture
* Agfa HealthCare UK
* EMIS Health
* Asteral
* Bender UK
* Brainlab
* BridgeHead Software
* Carestream Health UK
* Cievert
* CliniSys Solutions
* Dell
* E Health Innovations
* Esaote UK
* EuroKing Maternity Software Solutions
* Forcare B.V
* Fujifilm UK
* GE Medical Systems
* HD Clinical
* Healthcare Software Solutions
* HealthNetConnections
* Hyland Software UK
* iKnowHow SA
* Infinittuk
* Insignia Medical Systems
* Intelerad Medical Systems
* Intuitive Systems and Networks
* Kanteron Systems UK
* Lexmark Enterprise Software UK
* Mach7 Technologies
* McKesson Technologies UK
* Medical Imaging Systems
* MediMatic Srl
* Medrad UK
* Merge Healthcare
* Mirada Medical
* OpenText
* PACSHealth
* Parity Medical
* Philips Healthcare
* Purcell Radio Systems
* Qinec
* Sectra
* Siemens Healthcare
* Soliton IT
* Spacelabs Healthcare
* Sunquest Information Systems
* SynApps Solutions
* System C Healthcare
* TeraRecon GMBH
* UltraLinq Healthcare Solutions
* Visbion
* Vital Images