NHS Digital has awarded contracts to 69 suppliers to deliver IT systems under the new GP IT Futures framework.
Following a review of 73 supplier applications, the new system will include 16 existing suppliers and three new entrants offering core clinical system, alongside 53 new suppliers offering a range of additional services.
The suppliers include the two systems used by the vast majority of practices – EMIS and TPP SystmOne. Previously it was reported that GPs could be forced to switch IT systems following the procurement process if their current provider did not meet the requirements set out by the DHSC.
The contracts are subject to the suppliers completing a systems assurance process, which evaluates them against new standards set by GP IT Futures.
Existing contracts will expire on 31 December. NHS Digital said it aims to finish the transition to the new system by then and will ensure that all practices have access to the systems and services they need without any interruption throughout the transition.
Successful existing supplier systems will become available from 1 January 2020, while successful new entrant systems will come online throughout next year.
The NHS has said that there will be a minimum technical requirement for the new systems in order to enable them to be able to talk to each other securely and be ‘continuously upgradeable’.
Chief executive of NHS Digital, Sarah Wilkinson, said: ‘We are delighted that the supplier community has responded so positively to our proposal for the next generation of these systems, and are going to provide such a rich set of technical solutions for primary care.
‘We look forward to working closely with all of them over the coming years, and I thank them all for the work they have done to ensure their solutions meet our new standards and for their work in delivering them into the primary care system.’
