End of Microsoft NHS deal means mass deletions

Microsoft has warned any NHS worker who took advantage of the huge discounts available for installing MS Office at home that they must now delete the software.

The NHS used to buy its software from Microsoft as part of an Enterprise Agreement. One of the advantages of this purchasing procedure, apart from costing less, was that NHS nurses and doctors or other staff could buy a copy of Microsoft Office to use at home for the not-so-princely sum of £8.95.

But because the NHS-wide enterprise agreement has now ended NHS workers will now need to find £109 to replace their office software.

The Home User Programme can only be retained if the employee's organisation signs up to a new enterprise agreement with a Microsoft reseller.

Microsoft includes instructions on how to uninstall Microsoft Office, assuming it was bought under the enterprise agreement.

There are full details on Microsoft's NHS licensing page here.

The enterprise agreement ended 31 May. All NHS organisations will need to separately license new PCs from that date. They also lose access to Microsoft's technical support line and some other tools like desktop optimisation packs, which will require separate licenses.

Virtual Desktop Access and Office Roaming must also be switched off. ®