Welcome

As we move into 2014 we find ourselves on the home straight for PACS Exit Wave 2. The second time round isn’t quite as hectic as the first; this time last year we were overseeing 84 NHS trusts leaving the contract. The 2014 exit comprises 13  trusts in London and 11 in the North East, East & East Midlands (NEEM) region. 

Despite the smaller numbers, the key message again is on the subject of data repatriation - the trust can never start this work too early. It is critical that local storage is procured and installed as soon as possible and a decision is made as to whether to localise data using a DICOM push across the N3 network or simply restore the existing data backup tapes. 

Any trust that has not completed this activity by now should engage with the HSCIC to discuss replanning their exit date as they are already under a high risk of missing the 30 June deadline.

In London, the plan looks more promising with all but three trusts either having commenced data repatriation or having confirmed a slot to commence this presently.  As ever, the best place for further information are the regional exits board meetings, details of which can be found below.

BT update

The London PACS Exit Board last met on the 12 December - the focus being on a number of trusts who are yet to commence localisation and procurement.

13 trusts have commenced data localisation, of which one has recently completed – a further four are scheduled between now and February 2014.

We are working closely with BT, trusts and third party suppliers on the remaining trusts with particular focus on a couple of trusts who need to localise large amounts of data.

Four trusts completed procurement of their replacement PACS last year and the remainder have now all commenced engagement with NHS Supply Chain. Of these, 13 are in the advanced stages of completing procurement paperwork prior to announcing their successful supplier.

The PACS programme is working closely with the remaining trusts who are at various stages of exploring the market; developing Output Based Specification requirements and business cases as part strategic procurement.

As we move forward into the new year, the focus will be on closing down procurement for these trusts to allow the major focus on managing the data repatriation process to completion. Whilst, the vast majority of trusts have commenced or are planning to commence this activity in the immediate future, any trusts that are not in this category will need to move quickly to rectify the situation. The BT data centre will close on 31 July 2015, meaning any trust which has not completed data repatriation at this time faces a real risk of data loss.

Accenture update

North East, Yorkshire & the Humber

Six trusts have exited, with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust currently localising data from CDS. The remainder have submitted termination notices (TNs) to leave in 2014 with the exception of Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust and Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust. The next exit board meeting is scheduled in Leeds for 12 February.

East Midlands and East of England
To date nine of the 17 trusts have submitted termination notices with the intention of exiting in June 2014. At the next exit board meeting, scheduled for 28 January in Cambridge, the programme team will be looking to confirm detailed exit plans with trusts.  Central to this will be each trusts’ selection of a data repatriation approach.

Supplier
Accenture have provided information and costings for their proposed exit options to HSCIC. These fall into two categories:  the first options are appropriate for trusts with small volumes of data for whom the choice is between a DICOM push and restoring data from backup tapes. Larger trusts will want to consider these alongside the more advanced options which Accenture are currently finalising.

Trusts will be invited to join a webex in late January/early February to discuss these options in more detail.

National view

44 trusts in scope for wave two exit

18 trusts intending to exit on 30 June 2014

05 trusts having completed procurement

06 trusts in procurement

01 trusts completed data localisation

07 trusts currently localising data

Connect with us

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Email us pacs.query@hscic.gov.uk

Visit our web pages www.hscic.gov.uk/pacs and nww.hscic.gov.uk/pacs (N3 connection required)