The NHS is one of Microsofts largest and most important customers. To ensure that every NHS organisation get the best possible value national deals have been negotiated for the NHS in England, Scotland and Wales. These centrally paid for deals known as Enterprise Agreements cover core Microsoft products such as Windows and Office.
A full list of the products that these deals cover can be found in the FAQ documents for each agreement, below.
England
The NHS in England has negotiated a central licensing arrangement with Microsoft - called an Enterprise Agreement (EA or EWA) - which provides software licences to all personal computers (including desktops and laptops) for specific core Microsoft products across all of the NHS organisations in England including Primary Care Groups, Acute, Ambulance, Community and Mental Health Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities, including Special Health Authorities.
The EA has also been extended to include the Department of Health and its relevant authorities, plus all Hospices and Palliative Care Units providing care to patients in England and linked to the Hospices Connect Programme.
Review further information about the NHS Software Licensing Enterprise Agreement for England
Scotland
The NHS in Scotland has a central licensing arrangement with Microsoft - called an Enterprise Agreement (EA) - which provides software licences to all personal computers (including desktops and laptops) for specific core Microsoft products across all of the eligible NHS organisations in Scotland listed under Appendix A in the FAQ document below.
This is a three year agreement running until June 2009. It includes the right to use any new versions of the products included. The funding for this agreement is provided centrally. If you have any questions as a result of reading the below FAQ or about Microsoft licensing in general please contact either your Microsoft Account Manager or Trustmarque Solutions. Contact details are within the FAQ document.
Review further information about the NHS Enterprise Agreement for Scotland
Wales
In January 2006 NHS Wales negotiated an 'enterprise agreement' with Microsoft to provide the latest desktop and mobile computer software to benefit healthcare staff and patients. The enterprise agreement is seen as a critical building block in the ambitious modernisation plans for NHS Wales as set out in the 'Designed for Life' strategy.
It will see the latest Microsoft operating systems and software licences provided for 35,000 computer desktops throughout NHS Wales, ensuring staff across the service have access to vital computer equipment at an affordable price. The arrangement also includes Microsoft providing additional strategic support for NHS Wales.
Review further information about the NHS Enterprise Agreement for Wales
NHS Northern Ireland
NHS organisations in Northern Ireland are not part of an Enterprise Agreement with Microsoft, but are eligible to participate in individual Volume License agreements set up between the OGC and Microsoft.
Review further information about Volume Licence agreements here
Channel Islands
The UK Channel Islands are not part of an Enterprise Agreement with Microsoft, but are eligible to participate in the standard OGC MOU and Microsoft Select licensing frameworks which apply to them.
Review further information about Select Licensing here (US Content)