Hi Jon,

Thank you for posting this.
Members of the detection and measurement workstreams of the AKI project will be meeting with CSC fairly soon - exact date to be arranged.We can clarify their position on this and also
ensure that CSC understands the limited nature of any modifications we intend to make in the future. Ultimately of course this will be a contractual matter between Trusts and CSC.

Other comments refelecting experience with charges proposed by CSC or other LIMS suppliers welcome.

Best wishes,

Robert

Dr Robert Hill
Consultant Clinical Biochemist
________________________________________
From: ACB AKI-Detection-Algorithm [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jonathan Murray [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 24 October 2014 09:17
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Annual fee for LIMS providers?

Hi Robert,

I wondered what the national consensus is regarding routine annual payments to LIMS providers?

Several units in the Northern region use CSC and - in addition to an initial set-up fee - they are mandating our Trusts agree to pay an annual fee (£500 + VAT).  We appreciate the figure is not necessarily substantial but of course feel obliged to ensure that any NHS resource is being used responsibly.  We also appreciate that sometimes it is necessary to maintain a payment for IT 'support' etc - but (as far as I know) this is not routine in such circumstances.  Of course we recognise that - "if, as and when" any updates occur that an upgrade fee would be charged - but of course it may be that no upgrades do occur, or perhaps not for several years.  Certainly when trying to justify payments, it is easier to do so if you are 'getting something' when needed (ie an upgrade) for your Trust's money - rather than committing to long term annual payments 'in case' changes occur at some point in the future.

We would be most grateful for your / others opinion on this - and indeed an idea of what others have done about this (if indeed they have encountered it with CSC or other LIMS providers).

Best Wishes,

Jon

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