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1. The letter from Steve Rowlands (Ref: 21309) issued on 30th March 2000 referred to FHSL(97)47 and informed health authorities to restrict the direct reimbursement of GP computer costs to those systems that were accredited as meeting RFA99 standards where those costs related to:-

i. new computer systems (paragraph 3(i));
ii. significant investments involving major improvements to existing systems (paragraph 3 (ii)).

2. RFA99 has now been updated. RFA99 Version 1.1 will contain:

3. RFA99 Version 1.1 was published on 20th February 2001 and accreditation testing will be routinely available for suppliers from the end of April 2001. Consequently all references to RFA4 which specify a link to computer reimbursement decisions within paragraph 3 of FHSL (97)47 should now be read as though the term RFA4 was replaced by RFA99 Version 1.1.

4. With effect from the end of May 2001 RFA99 testing will no longer be available to suppliers. Any supplier who applies after that date will be told their product has to be RFA99 Version 1.1 tested, suppliers who have a system currently undergoing RFA99 testing will have that test completed and will be accredited if they pass.

5. Health authorities may temporarily accept a supplier's product as meeting RFA99 Version 1.1 standards, for the purposes of reimbursement, where they have confirmation from the NHS Information Authority (NHSIA) that the supplier has booked software for RFA99 Version 1.1 testing and the supplier undertakes, within the purchase contract, to provide a free upgrade from the product being sold to the RFA99 Version 1.1 accredited product being tested as soon as it becomes available.

6. Health Authorities should note that Project Connect will require the supply, installation and commissioning of GP systems accredited against RFA99 Version 1.1.

7. Suppliers of accredited systems are now required to provide a certificate to any GP who buys their software confirming that their product is accredited as meeting RFA99 Version 1.1 standards. Enquiries about the accreditation or testing status of a supplier can be made to Sue Rowberry of the RFA Team on 0121 333 0204.

8. Any queries should be forwarded to John-Jo Oldham at the address below.

Mr John-Jo Oldham
Primary Care Computing Policy
NHS Executive
Room 7E24, Quarry House
Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UE
Tel: 0113 2545831
E-mail: john-jo.oldham@doh.gsi.gov.uk