Press release

ntl:Telewest Business joins NHS purchasing framework

• Working in partnership with the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA) to supply best value for money communications services
• More than £5m purchases through the framework to date
• Offering significant cost and management benefits

14th September 2006. ntl:Telewest Business, the supplier of communications services to the public and private sectors, has been awarded a contract under the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA) national framework agreement to deliver voice and data services to a variety of NHS organisations across the UK.

An executive agency of the Department of Health, NHS PASA negotiates national framework agreements for the NHS in England. Its main aim is to achieve the best value for money for the NHS on the goods and services it purchases.

The Agency works with around 400 NHS trusts and health authorities and manages 3,000 national purchasing contracts, influencing around half of the £7bn spent in the NHS on purchasing goods and services in the health service.

By purchasing through the NHS PASA framework, ntl:Telewest Business customers benefit from best value communication products and services, large cost savings and speedy delivery, as well as easier project management. They can also be assured that their communication provider closely follows the UK and EU legal requirements and guidelines in compliance and security.

The NHS organisations that purchased ntl:Telewest Business products and services using the NHS PASA framework include:

• Camden & Islington Shared Services
• Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• Doncaster Royal Infirmary
• Islington PCT
• North Bristol NHS Trust
• Rotherham PCT
• Royal Hallamshire Hospital
• Sheffield Teaching Hospital
• St Helens & Knowsley PCT

Michael Fraser, IT Network Manager, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: "The NHS PASA framework has been an enormous help to Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals and it has ultimately changed the way we purchase our IT. Now we can place orders instantly, get confirmation instantly and then get on with the really important job of implementing the technology. ntl:Telewest Business has proven itself through NHS PASA to be the best value for money supplier with the added benefit of a smooth implementation and management process."

David Astley, Head of Health and Emergency Services, ntl:Telewest Business said: "Our partnership with NHS PASA is a testament that ntl:Telewest Business is one of the leading and most trusted communication providers to health organisations. With NHS PASA being a preferred purchasing route to the majority of NHS organisations, we expect more than £5m worth of deals to be signed in the next year."

About ntl:Telewest Business

ntl:Telewest Business, part of the UK’s second largest fixed-line telecommunications company, is a leading communications provider to businesses, public sector organisations and service providers in the UK. It delivers a complete portfolio of voice, data and internet solutions nation-wide.

ntl:Telewest Business sales and support teams are located across the UK, in close proximity to our customers, as part of a commitment to deliver superior customer service.

ntl:Telewest Business delivers services over the Group’s £13bn investment  in its state-of-the-art infrastructure giving business customers access to the largest alternative network in the UK.

ntl:Telewest Business is trusted to provide critical communications to high profile customers including: Heathrow's Terminal 5, Birmingham City Council and Cambridgeshire County Council.

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