Alder Hey Children's and Liverpool Women's NHS foundation trusts are in the process of planning what could be a first between NHS Trusts: a major IT outsourcing contract.

The two trusts already share IT services and a CIO. They are looking for a supplier to provide ICT technology for the new Children's Health Park hospital, due to open in 2014.

The intent is to engage a single supplier, for an initial seven years but with a possible three year extension. The estimated deal value is £31.5m.