The council, in conjunctions with local health organisations, has appointed BT to the programme, named Integrated Digital Care Record and Personal Held Record Programme for a period of five years.
The initiative has been introduced after the council, along with Islington Clinical Commissioning Group and Whittington Health succeeded in a joint bid to secure ‘pioneer’ status as part of the Department of Health’s programme to transform health and care delivery.
A council report discussed by councillors said: “In order to make a difference, ensure the CCG delivers the digital vision set out by the Department of Health in 2012 and take forward our Pioneer plans to integrate care across our partners Islington must transform the use and publication of information to patients, residents, clinicians and other staff in health and social care.”
The aim is to create a health and social care record, giving citizens control over allowing access to providers. The data held on the system will also allow easier exchange of information between different organisations.
The contract signed relates only to the development of software and hosted database services and does not directly cover the employment of staff.
According to council officers, the business case shows both social and economic benefits through more efficient processes and systems.
BT beat off bids from seven other suppliers to win the tender, which is worth £8.5m plus VAT. The council said this was divided into a £3.65m build cost and £4.85m running costs of around £1m per year.