First cut of VistA for NHS developed

Two US companies have worked with UK open source experts to create a ‘first cut’ of an anglicised version of the VistA electronic patient record system. Medsphere and General Dynamics Information Technology have created a virtual lab and worked with Tony Shannon, the chief clinical information officer of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and an open source propononent, to develop a UK-version of parts of the system.

Medsphere chief medical officer Edmund Billings said the US companies are working together to show the UK market the benefits of the US Veterans Health Association’s open source EPR, which he describes as “really set up for what the NHS wants to achieve."

Guidance released in July said NHS England wanted to explore the creation of an NHS version of VistA. However, experts calculated that it would cost £7m and take eight months to make it ready for the UK market. Rather than anglicising the US system, NHS England decided create a framework for NHS trusts to buy open source system support, hosting and change management. VistA is one of four products identified by NHS England, which it expects to be on the framework...