To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Phorm on the management of data relating to the operations of the National Health Service. [HL5853]

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Google on the management of data and national databases relating to the National Health Service. [HL5854]

None.

To ask Her Majesty's Government what tendering arrangements there are to ensure that there is competition in the awarding of contracts for the gathering, management and distribution of data services relating to NHS databases. [HL5855]

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the awarding of contracts for the provision of database services for the National Health Service precludes (a) renegotiation or termination of those contracts within the contract terms, and (b) the awarding of further contracts without tendering. [HL5856]

Procurement of the primary supplier contracts under the national programme for information technology (NPfIT) was completed between February 2003 and February 2004. Since that time there has been no renegotiation of these contracts, and no changes to their terms and conditions. There have, however, been resets of the contracts. Reset is a normal, repeatable process for contracts with a long lifetime to ensure that their ongoing delivery reflects progress to date, current priorities, and deployment plans for the future, and that they continue to support the evolving needs of the National Health Service. However, reset allows for the option of agreeing enhancements to existing services or functionality that does not effect a change in contract scope or risk allocation. The contracts contain provision for the termination of the whole contract or a part of the services provided by a supplier.

In 2008, the department finalised a range of framework contracts through open competition to provide additional capacity and capability in the supply of information technology (IT) services to the NHS. The contracts will enable the streamlined procurement of IT systems and services from suppliers who have demonstrated experience in the health sector and can be used to support both NPfIT-related work and wider IT-related projects. The procurement of the framework contracts was initiated with the publication of an OJEU notice in March 2007.

These contracts are not intended to replace the contracts already let for the National Programme for IT. They supplement the existing supply capacity, and enable new requirements to be met through a readily available approved framework, while mitigating any risk of existing suppliers being unable to meet contractual commitments.

The framework arrangements provide for NHS bodies with specific requirements to conduct a further competitions procedure, engaging suppliers who have been awarded a framework contract in the appropriate service category or categories. Should changes to requirements be necessary in due course there may be an opportunity to amend the defined terms and conditions of supply, depending on the scope and type of these changes.