Open source ‘mix up’ for tech fund 2

A trust listed as one of the open source suppliers in the latest round of the technology fund said it was unaware of its inclusion and will find it difficult to supply interested organisations.

The prospectus for the second round of what is now the 'ntegrated Digital Care Fund' includes a focus on open source solutions, and lists 11 open source suppliers that it is encouraging applicants to use.

It says the suppliers have either already have an established project in the NHS, related international work, or “have indicated a willingness to make their products open source”.

However, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, which is listed as a supplier for its WebV clinical portal, told EHI it was not aware it is listed as a supplier and has not officially signed-on.

Paul Jackson, the trust’s diagnostics and therapeutics IT manager, told EHI that he was not aware it has been listed in the prospectus.

Jackson said the trust is not able to sign on as a supplier until it fully considers the commercial implications of freely providing the software, given its status as a trust.

“Because we’re an NHS trust, if we give away the software it doesn’t benefit us in any way.”

Jackson said the trust is in discussions with NHS England about its involvement, and has attended several events related to the fund to “go through the process” and meet potential clients in case it does sign-on.

However, he said the trust still needs to put together a business case to determine how it would go about supplying the software. “There are more questions than answers at the moment.”

A spokesperson from NHS England said it was "not intended to highlight them as an immediate supplier of open source solutions."

"NHS England has been working with a number of suppliers and NHS Trusts, including North Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Trust, to increase the range of digital solutions available for the care community.

Including Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust in the IDC Fund prospectus is a natural extension of this support and to assess the wider level of demand," said the trust spokesperson.

When asked whether the trust will be able to supply any interested trusts with the software as part of the latest round, given the 14 July deadline for applications, Jackson said: “At this point of time, no, but things can change.

“It would be [difficult] because we’ve not had direct contact with anybody looking to use our product at the moment.”