Contract for the provision of pathology diagnostic testing (S4 network)

Description

This is direct award to Oxford University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (referred to as OUH), for the provision of pathology diagnostic testing under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) "Most Suitable Provider". This is an inter-NHS contract award.<br/><br/>As shown in the disclosed criteria, the main weighted criteria, Integration, collaboration and service is<br/>weighted at 50% as the key objective to centralise testing within the S4 pathology network, connected via LIMs. The other elements of quality-led criteria total a further 40% of the weighting. Value in terms of cost<br/>has been weighted at 10%, because integration, and maintaining the quality of the service is the main objective. Lot 1: This is a direct award to Oxford University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) under the<br/>Provider Selection Regime (PSR) using the "Most Suitable Provider" process. The contract is for the provision of pathology diagnostic testing currently outsourced within the NHS. <br/>As per the NHSE strategy to deliver cost effective pathology services and build resilience, improve internal delivery and deliver social value, GWH will be repatriating some of its existing outsourced testing within its NHS partners for Immunology/Haematology /Blood sciences into the S4 Pathology network hub. <br/><br/>English Trusts are divided into various pathology networks with a central hub arrangement. GWH is part of S4. The network participants are connected via Lims which went Live for GWH in May 2025.<br/><br/>The contract term is for one year, from 06/06/2025 to 05/06/2026. <br/><br/>The estimated contract value for one year is £2,400,000. This contract value is a forecast only. The value of the contract is determined by the test type, actual test volume and driven by patient need. Contract value for 25025/2026 will be subject to benchmark prior to contract expiry. <br/><br/>As shown in the disclosed criteria, the main weighted criteria, Integration, Collaboration and Service is<br/>weighted at 50%, as the key objective to centralise testing within the S4 pathology network, connected via LIMs. The other elements of quality-led criteria total a further 40% of the weighting. Value in terms of cost<br/>has been weighted at 10% because integration, and maintaining the quality of the service is the main objective. <br/><br/>GWH will be awarding this contract under PSR “Most suitable provider” as OUH are the only organisation that is a) part of the S4 pathology network and therefore fulfils NHSE strategic requirements for a future pathology service b) as the hub lead, can deliver the testing required c) from May 2025, will be connected to OUH via LIMs.<br/><br/>OUH already deliver part of the testing requirement under existing arrangements. University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (referred to as UHS) also provide pathology testing services to GWH under long term contractual arrangements. GWH are awarding this under the PSR regime as the “Most Suitable provider” as OUH is a) the hub lead and b) connected to GWH via LIMs. GWH will no longer be able to transfer those tests via any other route. UHS are supporting GWH as part of the transfer of the work into OUH. This process will therefore centralise the inter NHS testing under one contract.