Back from its Easter break, this edition of EHI Industry leads off with news that NHS Supply Chain is to get a framework contract in place for PACS/RIS solutions. With the end of the national contracts now firmly in sight, this will give trusts looking for new systems another option for obtaining them.

Wales is further along with the same kind of thinking. It has signed a deal with Fujifilm for a single PACS for the whole country. Meanwhile, the talks between the Department of Health and CSC over a new local service provider deal for the North, Midlands and East now look set to run on into the summer.

But the iSoft7 group of trusts in London and the South that decided to stick with their iSoft systems ahead of the programme have signed a £25m deal to stick with iPM and iCM. This news prompted the EHI Intelligence team to have another look at the systems in use in London and, in particular, at the plans of the other trusts still using iSoft systems in the capital.

Keeping with the iSoft theme, the trial of three of its former directors accused of misleading investors about the state of the company in the mid 2000s is finally underway at Southwark Crown Court.

NHS Supply Chain leads on PACS/RIS

NHS Supply Chain has launched a procurement to create a single national framework for picture archiving and communication systems and radiology information systems.

Wales signs PACS deal with Fujifilm

NHS Wales has signed a contract for a common picture archiving and communications service from Fujifilm.

CSC and DH talks will drag on to June

CSC has failed to agree a new deal with the Department of Health for the North, Midlands and East to the deadline it outlined to investors just one month ago.

Taunton signs BI deal with SSentif

Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has implemented a business intelligence and benchmarking system from SSentif.

ISOFT7 agree £25m contract extension

The 'iSOFT7' group of trusts that chose to retain their iSOFT systems ahead of the National Programme for IT in the NHS has signed a four-year, £25m extension to their contracts with the company.

£213m IT plan for Guy's and St Thomas'

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust plans to invest £213m in IT over the next five years, including the procurement of an electronic patient record system, clinical portals and mobile devices for staff.

Sussex trust outsources to 2e2

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has signed a contract to outsource its ICT services in a seven-year contract worth £5m in its first year.

iSoft trial told of 'forgery kit'

Former directors of iSoft used a "forgery kit" to create a "bogus contract" to try and secure the position of the company and their own fortunes in the middle of the last decade, a court has heard.