Management Toolkit

NHS awards big contracts

Ed Frauenheim CNET News

Published: 24 Dec 2003 09:10 GMT

Accenture and Computer Sciences announced contract wins on Tuesday, with the British government making their holiday seasons cheerier.

Both information technology services companies said they are spearheading teams of firms that have landed deals valued at more than $1.6bn (£0.92bn) each to help the National Health Service improve health care. Both contracts, which cover different regions, run until 2013.

Computer Sciences said its $1.72bn contract is part of an effort to improve health care service for patients in the North West and West Midlands of England. Under the agreement, a Computer Sciences-led alliance of companies will design, deliver and operate an integrated patient-care record system, Computer Sciences said. The service will provide all NHS patients with an individual lifelong electronic care record, the company said.

Accenture said its $1.65bn contract is to help improve health care in Eastern England. Accenture said it will lead a team of technology companies that will design, build and manage key information systems to support patient care and services.

Accenture said new patient record systems will offer access to electronic appointment booking and transmission of prescriptions from other providers and will support about 9.5 million citizens.

Accenture and Computer Sciences compete against companies such as Electronic Data Systems and the services wing of IBM.