NHS England has awarded two new contracts to support the “delivery of large-scale public facing digital services”, for NHS.UK and the wider portfolio including the NHS App and Login.
Technology consultancy company, BJSS Limited has been awarded a three-year contract valued at £37.5m to support the development of the NHS.uk portfolio. This includes working on the NHS App and Login.
Recently, CGI announced the share purchase to acquire BJSS, subject to regulatory approvals and conditions, which is expected to close in February 2025. It means 2,400 consultants and professionals will join CGI.
The second contract has been awarded to IBM to continue their work on developing the NHS App, with the aim to “create a standard online way for people to access the NHS”. This new contract extends their previous agreement, bringing the total value up to £65.5m, as they move closer to the June 2026 end date.
Last week, IBM announced its fourth quarter results, with Arvind Krishna, IBM chairman, president and chief executive officer, commenting: “We closed the year with double-digit revenue growth in software for the quarter, led by further acceleration in Red Hat. Clients globally continue to turn to IBM to transform with AI. Our generative AI book of business now stands at more than $5 billion inception-to-date, up nearly $2 billion quarter over quarter.”
Digital transformation within the NHS: the wider trend
One of our recent HTN Now webinars, focused on the role of digital in supporting NHS reform. This included modernising services, shifting from hospital to community, and supporting the move from reactive to proactive care. Panel members shared their insights and experience on a range of digital projects, highlighting key details such as what worked well and their learnings.
We recently hosted an expert panellist to discuss how general practice, PCNs, and ICBs can utilise data and leverage technology to support operational efficiencies and improvements across primary care.
An expert panel including Deborah El-Sayed, director of transformation and CDIO at Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB (BNSSG); Dan Bunstone, clinical director at Warrington ICB; Stephen Bromhall, interim chief officer for digital and data at South East Coast Ambulance Service (SEC); and Laura Thompson, director of marketing at The Access Group, also joined us late last year to talk about approaches to tackling challenges from an ICS perspective; new models of care and pathway transformation; the role of technology in supporting the move from reactive to proactive care; and how a system approach can accelerate preventative care.
Digital messaging platform, Alertive secured £3.7 million from private investors to drive its UK expansion. The platform was developed to help with task management and communication within healthcare environments, and is currently being used in 25 hospitals across 15 NHS trusts, with a reported 50,000 users.
Last month, NHS England outlined its NHS cloud strategy, recognising the need for cloud to support modernisation, enable innovation and provide strong foundations. It focuses on exploring the current NHS cloud strategy and adoption plan, offering guidance on migration and exit strategies, policies and best practice.
