NHS England is making plans for a major procurement framework based on digital pathways in primary care.
It has published a market opportunity notice indicating that the framework could have a value of up to £297 million, running from January of next year for an initial 12 months, but with an extension of three years if condition precedents are met.
The scope covers a number of capabilities, including: care navigation for patients; online consultations and patient requests; reporting of the requests; cross-organisational appointment booking; prescription ordering; video consultations; communication management; and enabling patients to view content from their electronic patient records.
The framework will be open for use beyond the health service by bodies including the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Defence and their executive agencies, and entities of the Home Office.
It is not expected to be divided into lots.
