Atos wins DH IT services contract

The Department of Health (DH) has appointed Atos to provide IT services, which could create new opportunities at the firm for computing experts with security clearance.

Atos has been awarded a £74 million contract to deliver an integrated IT desktop service, as well as a range of supporting services, for the DH and some of its arms length bodies like the Care Quality Commission over the next five years.

Going forward, the IT services company's security cleared staff will provide an integrated, shared service that it claims will support the 'Government Strategy for ICT's' aims of reducing costs and facilitating modernisation and reforms within the department.

Wayne Gibson, Atos' senior vice president for government and health, promised: "ICT shared services is a core business for Atos and, as a company committed to service excellence, we will ensure that migration to the new solution is as seamless and easy as possible."

Last month, the Public Administration Select Committee of MPs commended the government for some of the progress it has made in the area of IT procurement, although it also identified key areas where improvement is still required.