Welsh NHS to save £6m with new Microsoft deal

Welsh NHS Trusts have signed a joint software licensing deal with Microsoft covering 35,000 desktop computers that will save NHS Wales an estimated £6.1m over the course of the three-year contract.

NHS Wales said the licences would have cost more if they had been negotiated locally for each individual Trust.

The three-year Enterprise Agreement has been done with Software Assurance and covers licences for Windows XP, Office Professional Enterprise Edition, Windows, Exchange, Systems Management Server and Sharepoint Services.

In addition to the licences, the deal includes training vouchers for skills in the latest IT products, as well as a home-use programme that will enable healthcare staff with existing work-based licences to purchase a reduced-cost licence of the latest Microsoft Office software for personal use at home.

All 35,000 desktops will also have access to Microsoft's Welsh Language Pack, which enables computer users to adapt their software to display many commonly used features in Welsh.

Health minister Dr Brian Gibbons said in a statement: "This is excellent news for NHS Wales - and for patient care. The cost-saving deal we have agreed with Microsoft means that we can continue to ensure that money is focused where it is needed - on providing world class services for patients."

Carl Mustad, head of IT at Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust, added: "This deal will ensure that all NHS organisations keep software and licences relevant and up-to-date and that staff across the NHS are using the same version of the software. This compatibility across Wales will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the NHS use of IT resources."

The deal is being funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and managed by Welsh NHS IT body Informing Healthcare.