By Laura Passi
The GP Systems of Choice framework has now been extended until the end of March 2013, the Department of Health has announced.
GPSoC was originally developed with the BMA to give GPs the option of any of eight approved software suppliers to run their practice IT systems. Since 2007, more than 7,000 GP practices in England have been using it to fund their chosen systems.
The decision has been made to extend the framework while the Department of Health decides who will have the responsibility for providing practice IT under its reforms of the NHS.
A Department of Health spokesperson said: ‘Given the ongoing discussions about the future responsibility for the provision of IT to practices we are planning to introduce new GPSoC call-off agreements that will last until the end of March 2013.
'This will provide practices with continuity of service during a time of wider modernisation change in the NHS and is in line with the GPC's desire to see the security and stability of GPSoC maintained.
'We are working closely with the GPC and RCGP to ensure that any future replacement for GPSoC will continue to meet the IT needs of GPs.'
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