§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when the specification for the integrated care records system will be completed. [118101]
§ Mr. HuttonThe specification for the integrated care records service (ICRS) was completed in early May 2003, and issued on 16 May 2003 to the successful candidates who had progressed from the pre-qualification stage of the procurement process. 22 have been long-listed as potential local service providers and seven as potential national application service providers.
The specification will enable bidders to propose a solution to the stated requirements.
For the purpose of the procurement, the country has been split into five geographic areas ('clusters').
A second specification will be issued at a later stage of the procurement process to provide details relevant to each cluster.