NHS N3 network to be replaced by successor N4 in 2014

NHS N3 network to be replaced by successor N4 in 2014:

Cabinet Office transition plans reveal N3 extension and potential tie-up between N4 and PSN

The NHS's N3 network could be set to run for another year, according to documents released by the Cabinet Office, with plans to establish a successor already under way.

N3, one of the largest VPNs in Europe with more than 40,000 connections, is managed by BT. The seven-year contract with the telco, signed in 2004, was extended in 2010, enabling it to run until March 2013.

The deal now looks likely to be extended for a further year, with the NHS set to build a case for the contract extension and seek approval for the plan in the first quarter of this year.

The probable extension is highlighted in a document setting out the roadmap for the public sector's transition to the PSN.

The roadmap also shows that the NHS is planning to begin laying the foundations for the successor to the N3, known as N4, from the middle of this year. The extension of the N3 contract until March 2014 will "enable orderly transition, exit, migration" to N4, the document says.

Plans for N4, and its potential tie-up with the PSN, are still in the early stages, according to a Department of Health spokeswoman.

"As a member of the PSN board, we are working closely with the PSN programme to determine what will be suitable, for not only health and social care, but also wider aspirations of public service networking and telecommunications. Planning for the future transition of the N3 network to N4 is just beginning and still at an early stage, however, we are committed to aligning our future direction with PSN.

"As we develop our PSN transition plan jointly with the programme we will share it with interested parties. We are currently evaluating options for making the current N3 network PSN compliant and intend to publish our plans at the start of next financial year," she said.

The business case for the move to N4 will be outlined in the first quarter of this year, according to the Cabinet Office document.

Procurement could take place under PSN frameworks where there is a demonstrable value for money, it adds.

Guardian Professional.