NHS Wales changes integration platform

The NHS Wales Informatics Service has chosen Fiorano Software to replace its existing integration platform with a flexible messaging service between its systems.

The integration framework, which will replace the service’s existing JCAPS platform, will help it to connect national systems such as the Welsh Clinical Portal, test requesting and results reporting. It will also provide multi-agency integration with a range of NHS Wales organisations.

The new platform is based on a distributed architecture, with centralised management and control, and is compatible with the NHS Interoperability Toolkit that was developed to encourage the use of standards in systems that need to connect to deliver a specific service.

An NWIS spokesperson told EHI the Fiorano system will help the service to make it easier for healthcare professionals to access “vital information” about their patients.

“We are doing this by bringing together information from a wide number of sources, some of which are new and some of which already exist.

“To ensure that this works effectively, services and systems need to interact with each other in a timely and robust manner.”

The spokesperson said Fiorano was chosen following a robust procurement process, and “uses the latest generation of technology to improve the flexibility and consistency of the messaging service."

“It will provide a messaging solution which can adapt to the changing workload and organisational footprint of NHS Wales.”

The spokesperson said the framework has not yet been implemented, but the aim is to move over to the new solution as quickly as possible.

Earlier this month, NWIS told EHI it is tendering for a community care information solution to integrate social care, community and mental health services across Wales.

The system will include functionality for care pathways, assessments, referrals and workflows and will link up local authorities with the seven local health boards covering primary, secondary, mental health and community care.

Andrew Griffiths, the chief information officer for NWIS, told EHI the tender for the system is due to be completed in December.

Griffiths said the service is also planning to expand its Individual Health Record, the “much richer” Welsh equivalent of NHS England’s Summary Care Record, to secondary care for admissions units.