(2) what his policy is on inviting in-house bids for IT applications and systems developments in the NHS Business Services Authority;
(3) where the NHS Business Services Authority’s (a) data centres and (b) service centres are located; how many people are employed at each location; and whether potential future locations for such centres have been identified.
There are 1,103.58 whole-time equivalent employees working at NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) within the City of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
There is no policy within NHSBSA relating to inviting in-house bids for information technology (IT) applications and systems developments. As part of the business case process associated with any bid opportunities, the existing in-house solutions are examined and considered in terms of their capability to deliver against the objectives set out in the business case.
Information on NHSBSA’s IT centres and staff employed is shown in the following table.
NHS Business Service Authority (NHSBSA) data centre and service centre locations (A) Total NHSBSA staff employed at 31 May 2009 (B) Number of IT data centre staff employed by the NHSBSA (included in total column A) Corporate HQ and services (including finance, HR, commercial) Newcastle 140 — Prescription services Newcastle 676 7 Wakefield 250 — Bolton 325 — West Bromwich (closes 31 July 2009) 121 — Patient services and student grants Newcastle 265 — Fleetwood 88 — Pensions Fleetwood 405 — Dental Eastbourne 76 — Supply chain management Alfreton 14 — Counter fraud and security management London 84 3 Regional offices (x 8) 56 — Total 2,500 10
Potential future locations for these data and service centres have not been determined.