NHS Commissioning Board publishes operating model for offender health IT programme

Existing IT support services and assurance processes will be transferred from primary care trusts

The NHS Commissioning Board (NHS CB) has published a document setting out the future IT operating model for the offender health IT programme.

The new model, which will apply from 1st April 2013, aims to ensure the safe transfer of existing IT support services and assurance processes from primary care trusts and provide ongoing continuity of service.

In its document, the NHS CB explains that it will be responsible for the ongoing provision of a national clinical IT system and support services within public and private prisons and other places of detention.

As part of its new responsibilities, the NHS CB will have to provide IT infrastructure, operational support and assurance linked to the services as well as being accountable for the local delivery of services, and also the replacement and disposal of IT assets.

The NHS CB says that it may choose to deliver functions itself or make arrangements for commissioning support units (CSUs) or any other IT provider to deliver them. Where a PCT has commissioned the delivery of IT provision through other service providers, the document says, the NHS CB will manage legacy arrangements going forwards, subject to review.

The Board says IT service providers that it appoints will be expected to deliver to a set of quality standards, including compliance with the Information Governance Toolkit and clinical safety and assurance determined by the NHS CB

The document adds that the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) will remain responsible for local IT provision to support its security systems, which are separate from healthcare services.