§ Brian WhiteTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is towards using open source software; and what percentage is used in his Department. [69307]
§ Ms BlearsThe Department does not deploy open source software on its information technology network and the current policy is not to use open source software.
§ Mr. RuffleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he intends to require NHS trusts in the Eastern region to follow the south-west NHS IT procurement model. [73126]
§ Mr. LammyThe organisations in the former eastern region will be expected to follow the procurement process agreed as part of the national implementation programme for information technology in the National Health Service, announced in June 2002.
§ Mr. RuffleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he intends to introduce a single procurement process for electronic patient record systems for the Thames Valley, Kent and Birmingham area NHS trusts. [73127]
§ Mr. LammyThe organisations in Thames Valley, Kent and Birmingham will be expected to follow the procurement process agreed as part of the national implementation programme for information technology in the National Health Service, announced by Ministers in June 2002.
§ Mr. RuffleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS Executive officials directly involved in the establishment of single procurement arrangements for NHS trusts in the south-west were previously involved in(a) development and (b) management of the Hospital Information Support Systems initiative. [73129]
§ Mr. LammyOne Departmental official, previously involved with the hospital information support systems initiative, was involved in the initiation of the south west regional procurement process. This official played no part in the project team, and left the project at the time the Official Journal of the European Commission was published. The south west regional procurement process has been run by National Health Service staff, with a project support office hosted by a health authority.
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§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he will take to ensure the fairness and transparency of the procurement processes to be used in implementation of the new NHS ICT strategy; [67998]
(2) whose responsibility it will be to (a) choose and (b) enter into contracts with specific application suppliers from the accredited lists of the new NHS ICT programme; and if he will make a statement as to his Department's involvement in such decisions; [67991]
(3) by what process NHS ICT suppliers will be shortlisted nationally for accreditation; [67984]
(4) what progress has been made concerning the short list of prime contractors to implement the new NHS ICT programme; [67988]
(5) what procurement processes will be used for the implementation of the new NHS ICT strategy; [67985]
(6) what role value for money will play in choosing ICT preferred suppliers to implement the new NHS ICT strategy. [67989]
§ Mr. Lammy[holding answer 8 July 2002]: We are currently developing with colleagues in the National Health Service Purchasing and Supply Agency a procurement strategy to facilitate the acquisition of the necessary goods and services to support "Delivering 21 Century IT" for the NHS. We will publish outline details of the new procurement strategy in the near future.
Procurements are underway in many parts of the country to deliver electronic patient records and other systems and these procurements need to proceed. All public sector procurements have to follow the principle of best value, rather than cheapest price.
Strict rules govern the procurement of goods and services for the public services, including rules published in European Union Directives, by Her Majesty's Treasury and the Department. These will be adhered to adhered to in all cases.