E-Health Insider has learned that EMIS appears set to sign an agreement to become the alternative GP systems provider for the North West and West Midlands cluster of the National Programme for IT (NPfIT).
The deal between EMIS with the local service provider (LSP) CSC Alliance (CSCA) is understood to be on the point of being signed, following prolonged negotiations with the NPfIT and CSCA. Discussions are also underway with the three other LSPs
Sources within the region alerted EHI earlier this week that a deal was imminent and "due within days". Another well place source today told EHI that a deal was about to happen.
A spokesperson from the NPfIT said: "Discussions are ongoing between EMIS and the LSPs." EMIS declined to offer any comment, while a spokesperson for CSC said that a response was being prepared that would in line with that from the NPfIT.
Rumours of an outbreak of peace between EMIS and the NPfIT have been in circulation for many weeks. Senior NPfIT figures have recently provided strong hints that an EMIS-LSP deal, and potentially deals with all the LSPs, were being negotiated.
Given the sometimes strained relationship that EMIS, the largest supplier of GP systems in England, has had with the NPfIT a deal would represent a considerable achievement for all parties involved. It should also go a long way to help overcome GPs concerns about the choice of systems provided to them under the new General Medical Services contract.
The position of EMIS outside the programme has created a problem with the programme building momentum in primary care. If EMIS is indeed brought within a ‘big tent’ National Programme it could potentially help accelerate the roll-out of electronic appointment booking, electronic transfer of prescriptions and GP-to-GP record transfers.