Connecting for Health has instructed NHS trusts not to download copies of the latest version of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer web browser until it can confirm the software works with national applications delivered by the programme and its prime contractors.
Reports from NHS users indicate that the web-based Choose and Book application may have problems operating in conjunction with the latest version of Microsoft’s web browser (IE7).
CfH, however, unequivocally stated that there was no problem with Choose and Book. The agency told EHI that it had been working with Atos Origin, the contractor behind Choose and Book, to test the application with IE7 “and we are confident that these tests have shown that the Choose and Book application will function correctly with IE7”.
But despite this certainty on Choose and Book it is unclear whether other national applications work proproperly with IE7. CfH has instructed NHS trusts to switch off automatic software download features within Microsoft to prevent IE7 being installed. Microsoft has meanwhile recommended that NHS organisations download toolkits that block the automatic update of IE7.
NHS IT agency Connecting for Health (CfH) has told trusts that IE7 – automatic rollout of which has started – should not be downloaded and used “until further notice”. It says it must confirm that all national NPfIT applications are compatible with the software.
One NHS IT manager, who asked to remain anonymous, told E-Health Insider (EHI) they had instructed their engineers to disable automatic downloads at all local GP practices.
The Department of Health signed a £500m national licensing deal with Microsoft exactly two years ago, making the NHS one of the software giant’s largest corporate customers.
Several of the national applications delivered as part of NPfIT, such as Choose and Book and the NHS email system are web-based, requiring staff to use a web browser. Internet Explorer is the default web browser used across the health service. The latest version of the browser has been available as a download from the Microsoft site for the past three months for users to test.
CfH told E-Health Insider that it didn’t know whether IE7 was compatible with national web-based systems. “We are working to determine the compatibility of all our products and services with IE7.”
"At this stage, however, NHS Connecting for Health and Microsoft advise that NHS organisations must not install IE7 until further notice."
Microsoft has recommended all NHS organisations download toolkits that block the automatic update of IE7, and wait until their local service provider or the National Programme for IT tells them otherwise. The company recommended that these toolkits be installed by 1 November.
"In due course, NHS organisations will be notified how to remove the blocker and install IE7," says the notice.
The blocker toolkit needs to be installed by users with local administrator access, and will only block the automatic updates. However, any users that have permissions to install programs on their machines will still be able to install IE7 manually. In this case, the recommendation is that users’ account permissions be restricted.
CfH told EHI: “We are working closely with Microsoft and our suppliers to ensure IE7 does not impact either the availability or accessibility of NHS CFH systems.”
The agency added: “We recognise that some Choose and Book users will, either inadvertently or by choice, have installed IE7 and for this reason guidance on using Choose and Book with IE7 will be available from mid November. However, our advice remains that IE7 should not be downloaded or used until we have confirmed that all National Programme for IT applications are compatible with it.”
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