EmailThe Berkshire based hospital foundation trust has signed a £2.4m contract with iSoft. Over five years the deal will provide patient management software, a technical upgrade of its existing iSoft clinical software and clinical management software.
Other trusts that have also bought information systems outside their NPfIT 'cluster' include Epsom and St Helier University, Great Ormond Street, Guy's and St Thomas's, King's College Hospital, Lewisham, Plymouth and Salisbury.
Victor Almeida, health analyst at Kable, said: "Trusts were never obliged to use their regional products and suppliers, as recommended under the national programme framework. Given the delays, the Fujitsu contract termination and so many uncertainties surrounding the care record service, it is hardly surprising that trusts are now resorting to alternative solutions.
"I believe that many more 'out of cluster' agreements will follow, especially in the south. Last month NHS chief executive David Nicholson indicated that mistakes had been made and so the national programme would be opening its doors to other software suppliers."
Jonathan Pearce, Heatherwood and Wexham Park's director of infrastructure, said: "We are delighted to be working with iSOFT on this very important programme. We already have a strong working relationship with iSOFT as we already use its clinical information system, i.CM."
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