The NHS Purchasing and Supplies Agency has launched a new catalogue of IT and telecommunications products and services for the NHS.
The new catalogue, called NHScat-IT, was developed by PASA and buying.solutions arm of the Office of Government Commerce, it replaces the previous NHS Hardware and Software and Gcat contracts.
According to PASA the partnership of the NHS and central government on the catalogue will enable better prices to be secured, "linked to NHS and Government purchasing power". The new catalogue is said to be compliant with EC procurement legislation, and offer online ordering facilities.
A total of 26 approved suppliers and contractors are included in this first release of NHScat-IT, covering hardware, telecom, software, maintenance, IT, managed services, and solutions providers. Big names covered include BT, Dell, IBM, Siemens and EDS.
PASA says that the catalogue, available to NHS personnel through the PASA website, will continue to grow with additional products and services to be added in the future.
In addition to being able to browse products and prices, once registered, users will be able to place orders online and access additional functionality such as online competitions.