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NHS Shared Business Services (SBS) has initiated the process by issuing a prior information notice (PIN) to inform the market about its upcoming second edition of the digital workplace solutions framework. This move signals the start of engagement with potential suppliers for the £1.5 billion framework, scheduled to become operational before the current agreement expires on August 9, 2024.
The existing digital workplace services framework, designed to facilitate comprehensive IT service procurement for NHS and social care organizations, is set to evolve. It encompasses various components, including data center infrastructure, servers, storage, networking products, end user computing hardware and software, tailored software, professional services, and training.
The proposed new framework is intended to expand its scope to include additional aspects such as infrastructure management services, communication services, as well as information systems and services. This expansion reflects the growing digital needs of healthcare organizations as they continue to modernize their operations.
The digital transformation of NHS services aims to improve patient care through interconnected systems
The core objective of this framework is to facilitate NHS's investments in enhancing its IT systems, ensuring that the workforce is equipped with suitable technology and that systems are interconnected, allowing seamless information sharing at the point of care. This endeavor aligns with the NHS Long Term Plan of 2019, which outlines a vision to modernize the healthcare service through digital integration.
The NHS Long Term Plan, unveiled in 2019, delineates the strategy for utilizing the additional £20.5 billion annual funding allocated to the NHS by 2023/24, a financial boost given in commemoration of the NHS's 70th anniversary in 2018. The primary objective is to reshape the NHS around patient requirements, leveraging technology to enhance service accessibility, and prioritizing disease prevention and early detection.
"The NHS Long Term Plan is a blueprint for a future-ready NHS, leveraging technology to revolutionize services with an emphasis on the application of advanced scans and technologies, including the potential integration of artificial intelligence, to reshape healthcare services."
NHS Long Term Plan, 2019
| Framework Component | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Data Center Infrastructure | Servers, storage, networking | Enhanced data handling capabilities |
| End User Computing | Hardware, software for healthcare professionals | Improved operational efficiency |
| Tailored Software | Custom applications for healthcare needs | Purpose-built solutions for specific requirements |
| Professional Services | IT consulting, implementation support | Expert guidance for digital transformation |
| Communications Services | Enhanced connectivity solutions (new in revamp) | Better coordination between healthcare teams |
The first edition of the digital workplace solutions framework, introduced in 2020, offered NHS entities potential cost savings ranging from 10% to 20%. The current framework involves 28 suppliers, featuring a mix of small and medium-sized enterprises as well as established resellers. This diversity in suppliers ensures competitive pricing and a wide range of solutions to meet varying needs.
NHS SBS has outlined a clear timeline for the implementation of the new framework:
Modern IT infrastructure is essential for efficient healthcare service delivery
NHS SBS is presently responsible for managing ten distinct IT and digital frameworks accessible to the NHS and social care sector. Among these is the digital workplace hardware framework, which complements the digital workplace solutions framework. This hardware-focused framework offers end-user computing devices such as laptops, desktops, mobile devices, and medical IT hardware.
The coordination between these various frameworks ensures that healthcare organizations have access to comprehensive solutions that address all aspects of their digital needs. This holistic approach to IT procurement helps streamline the acquisition process while ensuring compatibility and integration between different components.
The revamped digital workplace solutions framework is expected to have significant positive impacts on healthcare delivery across the NHS:
The NHS SBS £1.5 billion digital workplace solutions framework revamp represents a significant step forward in the NHS's digital transformation journey. By expanding the scope of the existing framework and aligning it more closely with the objectives of the NHS Long Term Plan, this initiative promises to equip healthcare organizations with the technological tools they need to provide better patient care.
As the framework moves through its implementation timeline, with market engagement sessions scheduled for October 2023 and a planned launch before August 2024, healthcare organizations and potential suppliers alike should prepare to engage with this significant opportunity to shape the future of healthcare IT in the UK.
What is NHS Shared Business Services (SBS)?
NHS Shared Business Services is a joint venture between the Department of Health and Social Care and Sopra Steria, providing business support services to the NHS, including finance and accounting, procurement, and IT frameworks.
What is the value of the new digital workplace solutions framework?
The framework is valued at £1.5 billion, representing a significant investment in the digital transformation of NHS IT systems and services.
When will the new framework become operational?
The new framework is scheduled to become operational before August 9, 2024, which is when the current framework agreement expires.
What kind of services are covered by the digital workplace solutions framework?
The framework covers a wide range of IT services, including data center infrastructure, servers, storage, networking products, end user computing hardware and software, tailored software, professional services, and training. The new framework will also include infrastructure management services, communication services, and information systems.
How does this framework relate to the NHS Long Term Plan?
The framework supports the NHS Long Term Plan's vision of modernizing healthcare services through digital integration, ensuring workforce access to suitable technology, and enabling seamless information sharing at the point of care.
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