HSJ reports that a lack of digital ‘skill and resource’ has meant that NHS England is tendering for a £9m contract for an external supplier to establish a ‘centre of excellence’ for the organisation.
In the procurement documents NHSE is seeking a “delivery partner” for its frontline digitisation programme, with the successful bidder working to improve the uptake and use of electronic patient record systems in the NHS over 30 months from 1 October.
Former health and social care secretary Sajid Javid had announced that 90% of trusts would have an EPR by the end of next year, with 100% coverage being achieved by March 2025.
The news also arrives a few weeks after NHSE announced it would be reducing its workforce by around 6,000 jobs, many within the merged NHSX, NHS Digital and NHSE transformation teams.
Full story in the HSJ, 27 July 2022
