In November 2013 it was announced that the Trust had selected BridgeHead Software a Healthcare Data Management company to implement its Vendor Neutral Archive for a multi-staged image management project as part of the development of a comprehensive electronic patient record system.

The intention was to achieve VAT benefits, as well as pay bill savings, by recruiting new staff on less expensive non-NHS contracts.

VAT benefits arise because NHS trusts can only claim VAT back on a small subset of goods and services they buy.

The Value Added Tax Act 1994 provides a mechanism through which NHS trusts can qualify for refunds on contracted out services.

[6] It set up a pharmacist-led clinic for patients with both heart failure and diabetes, to optimise their medications in 2022.