PODAC IT Supplier Research

NHS Digital and NHSX are developing a national programme to improve digitisation and productivity using digital technology across pharmacy, optometry, dentistry, ambulance and community (PODAC) sectors.

This work includes research to build a body of knowledge that will allow NHS Digital and NHSX to lay the foundation for change and develop a full programme of work to deliver digital transformation.

IT suppliers will be fundamental in the delivery of this change and engaging with IT suppliers to understand the marketplace and the solutions, services and products is critical. We want to ensure we utilise the innovation and expertise within the IT sector and work with industry experts to deliver the most effective solutions for our colleagues in the PODAC sector.

To start our engagement and increase our knowledge of the IT sector, a third party has been commissioned to carry out research focusing on suppliers providing IT systems.

The research will cover three broad aims:

• Supplier Market Analysis - a review to develop an understanding of the market that is currently providing IT systems to the PODAC sectors.
• Enablers and Infrastructure Discovery - a review of the major barriers to the rolling out of digital solutions at scale, focussing on key enablers such as organisational identifiers, data security and cyber protection, interoperability and connectivity.
• National Technical Specification Discovery - a review of the potential for a core specification for IT systems in optometry, dentistry, ambulance and community.

Over the coming weeks, you may be contacted by us or our third party supplier as part of this research work. Any information, guidance or feedback you provide will help us complete our research that will lay the foundations of our future programme of work.

Should you need any more information or if you are keen to participate in the research we are undertaking, please get in touch with Jenny Friday,

Project Manager at jenny.friday@nhs.net