The Scottish Executive has signed a national IT contract
with outsourcer Anite to integrate its social care IT framework
with social care databases held by Scottish local
authorities.
The supplier’s Swift social care solution will be integrated
with the Scottish Executive’s eCare Multi-Agency Stores system.
As a result, social care practitioners will have access to
critical data from other agencies, ultimately improving protection
and support for vulnerable sections of society.
Anite said the move means its existing nine Scottish local
authority customers will also benefit from a more integrated and
cost-effective implementation process, through shared
procurement.
Hazel McMorrow, head of performance and resources at Stirling
council and chair of the Swift user group, said, “The national
contract is a significant milestone in achieving the effective
sharing of data across the Scottish public sector.
“By integrating information systems, service providers will be
able to work more effectively with colleagues from other agencies.
The benefits include better-informed services, enhanced
decision-making processes and, ultimately, improved outcomes for
citizens receiving social care.”
Peter Russell, head of the efficient government group at the
Scottish Executive, said, “Shared procurement represents one of the
most significant financial opportunities in aggregating and
optimising the considerable public sector spend in Scotland. This
model of procurement is one that could be used for any vendor who
has multiple installations of their product in Scotland.”