NHS Extends Contract With iSOFT To Host e-Commerce And Logistics Applications

Alfreton, Derbyshire-based NHS Supply Chain has extended its ten-year contract with iSOFT that was initially signed with NHS Logistics (the predecessor of NHS Supply Chain), for hosting NHS' e-commerce and logistics applications until 2010.

NHS Supply Chain is operated by DHL Logistics, on behalf of NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), through a 10-year contract, to provide procurement and logistics services for more than 600 NHS trusts, hospitals and other healthcare organizations from six regional distribution centers.

Delivering end-to-end supply chain services, including procurement, logistics, e-commerce, and customer and supplier support, the organization aims at achieving over £1 billion ($1.98 billion) savings for NHS over ten years. The organization leverages expertise from the NHS Logistics Authority, NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency, DHL, for healthcare logistics, and procurement experience from Novation.

iSOFT will offer its fully hosted managed services, with applications operated in conjunction at a dual data centre, for disaster-tolerance. iB Solutions, a subsidiary of IBA Health, develops and supports the warehouse management and distribution applications for the organization, under a separate contract.

iSOFT has been a major supplier to NHS since the National Program for IT (NPfIT) was unveiled in 2002. Some of the recent contracts awarded by NHS include a £1 million contract in 2007 for the upgradation of laboratory information systems at nine NHS trusts in Wales; and a deal by NHS Connecting for Health in 2007, whereby iSOFT was appointed as national supplier of choice to provide clinical systems and services, meeting the national program for IT standards, for GPs across England.

Oxfordshire, UK-based iSOFT, a global leader in delivering advanced software applications for the healthcare sector, was acquired in October 2007 by IBA Health Group, the largest information technology company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. iSOFT provides patient administration, clinical information and medical practice management and laboratory, radiology and pharmacy management products to more than 8,000 organizations in 27 countries