NHS looking for new IT contractors

[Board Game Geek]

Well, as someone involved in the front-line implementation of Npfit, I can say that whoever takes on the job has a complete can of worms coming their way.

It's all well and good sprouting off soundbites like "not fundamentally an IT programme, but a high quality enabler that will improve the way the NHS system operates", but in real truth, the people at the top have no idea of the technical problems at the point of delivery.

What really makes me cross is the supposed Npfit PC Standard ; whilst just about meeting the needs for Npfit itself, completely ignores the reality of what acutes and GP's are running on their own systems.

Sure, nearly any old PC can run a web browser.

But Npfit fail to realise that these PC's are running Office Apps and other 3rd party software as well.

Result....the whole lot grinds to a halt. Or doesn't inter-operate.

For Npfit to work at a strategic level, it needs to work at a tactical level as well. In fact, that should have been a fundamental process of evaluating the varied architecture out there, and then designing a system to work on top of it.

Instead, it's been done the other way round.

Design an impressive, politican-pleasing system and then shoe-horn it on to the creaky architecture.

Too many Architects, too many protected interests and ring-fenced relationships with suppliers, too many people with ulterior motives constantly changing the goal-posts.

Welcome to the World's Biggest IT Cockup, a never-ending Groundhog Day. The date ? April 1st.

[malvolio]

I read somewhere on govt website that in some projects small businesses were being promoted by giving them govt projects. Does any body know about it ? If not 100mil we can bid for 10mil. That will do for me.

It's the OJEC tendering process that replaces S-CAT for lower value projects. Snag is, the bar is set so high an individual won't meet it. Set up a collaboration of OMBs instead and they will be judged individually, not as a group, and individually you won't meet it so the collaboration won't.

Another wonderful example of the same old same old re-presented as something new.

[andy]

I read somewhere on govt website that in some projects small businesses were being promoted by giving them govt projects. Does any body know about it ? If not 100mil we can bid for 10mil. That will do for me.

[malvolio]

Truth is, they don't need software designers, they need BAs and PMs who understand the idea of analysing and delivering what the client wants, which is not what the current pile of poo represents, and is why nobody can make it work!

Anywyay, to answer the question, it is an open tender. Anyone can bid that (a) can afford to take the full risk of a £100m programme, (b) has delivered two such programmes in the same environment to the same client base in the last 10 years (note: it doesn't ever say "sucessfully delivered") and (c) is on the list of people allowed to tender for the programme.

So we can't, but the people currently doing it can. Clever, isn't it...

[threaded]

"not fundamentally an IT programme, but a high quality enabler that will improve the way the NHS system operates."

[The Lone Gunman]

link

Anybody fancy getting a team together and bidding?
Anybody got enough experience for a multi-million bid?
We cant do any worse.