NHS Connecting for Health – the Department of Health agency that runs that the National Programme for IT, has awarded an IT hardware and service framework contract to supplier Capgemini.

The framework contract – the 38th to be awarded by Connecting for Health – means that different primary care trusts will be able to procure certain IT goods and services for a pre-arranged price.

The contract follows work that Capgemini has done with the NHS in Wales.

A wide range of other suppliers have been awarded framework contracts including BT, CSC, Fujitsu, Atos Origin, Logica, McKesson and Northgate – reflecting the size of the programme.

Others are keen to get in on the act, according to Ovum analyst Tola Sargeant.

"Accenture, Serco and IBM are among the suppliers that have not been awarded framework contracts in the first three lots," she said. "No doubt this was a disappointment to them, particularly IBM, which has been talking up its ambitions in the European health sector recently."