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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