Pathology services
Overview
Summary, notice description and lot information
The procurement process initiated by the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is currently in the planning stage for the delivery of pathology services. This process is governed under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 and is distinct from the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The authority seeks to identify the most suitable provider for the South Hub Pathology Service in Cheshire West and The Wirral.
The procurement, classified under the CPV code 85111800, spans several key pathology services, including Cellular Pathology, Blood Science, and Microbiology, and is set to progress with future notice anticipated on 5th November 2025. The main procurement category is services, and the planned service delivery will occur through a central hub and spoke model, particularly aimed at enhancing pathology network efficiencies within the specified UKD63 and UKD74 regions. This tender represents significant business growth opportunities for firms experienced in comprehensive pathology services, notably those with capabilities in delivering Cellular Pathology, Mortuary Services, and related Blood Science services.
The tender does not require the provision of new equipment, favouring providers who can efficiently integrate with existing systems and infrastructures. Thus, businesses skilled in partnership development and innovation in healthcare services, capable of aligning with NHS ambitions and current site equipment, would be well-positioned to compete. Companies desirous of a strategic entry or expansion into the NHS services sector, particularly within pathology networks, should consider this tender a viable pathway to establishing enduring industry partnerships.
In 2019 the NHS Long Term Plan set out the key ambition that all pathology services in England would be part of a pathology network by 2023 (now April 2025). In response to this the Cheshire & Merseyside Pathology Network developed an Outline Business Case which detailed an ambitious Target Operating Model which consists of developing 3 pathology hubs which would work together to make the best use of the assets and capabilities available, and to deliver on the benefits to patient care that are available by working more closely together. These three hubs cover the following geographical areas: North Hub - Liverpool East Hub - Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens, Warrington & Halton South Hub - Cheshire West and The Wirral To meet the National and Local ambitions Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a provider to deliver the South Hub Pathology Service.
This provider must be able to offer a single pathology service for the geographical area of the South Hub (see table above) delivered through a hub and spoke model. The provider must be able to deliver a single pathology service which consists of a Central Hub, situated in the geographic area, and Essential Service Laboratories (ESL) at Countess of Chester Hospital and Chester and Wirral Microbiology Services (Bromborough, Wirral). The provider must continue to maintain an ESL based at the Countess of Chester Hospital and an ESL at Chester and Wirral Microbiology Services.
The provider must be able to deliver all aspects of: Cellular Pathology (Histopathology and Cytology), Mortuary Services, Blood Science (Chemistry, Haematology, coagulation and blood transfusion), Immunology, Microbiology and Point of Care pathology services within the Central Hub. The provider must be able to deliver Blood science (Chemistry, Haematology and blood transfusion), cellular pathology (Histopathology, cytology), Point of Care and a small amount of microbiology Screening (COVID, Flu testing) at the ESLs. To provide the service all hospital sites will retain their current equipment from their current suppliers, and so the provider will not be required to provide any equipment as part of this service.
The Provider must demonstrate that they can fulfil the current Pathology service requirements and the future ambitions of the Countess of Chester hospital and our Stakeholders. To provide the service all current sites will retain their current equipment from their current suppliers, and so the provider will not be required to provide any equipment as part of this service. For the avoidance of doubt this is not a managed service equipment contract.
In 2019 the NHS Long Term Plan set out the key ambition that all pathology services in England would be part of a pathology network by 2023 (now April 2025). In response to this the Cheshire & Merseyside Pathology Network developed an Outline Business Case which detailed an ambitious Target Operating Model which consists of developing 3 pathology hubs which would work together to make the best use of the assets and capabilities available, and to deliver on the benefits to patient care that are available by working more closely together. These three hubs cover the following geographical areas: North Hub - Liverpool East Hub - Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens, Warrington & Halton South Hub - Cheshire West and The Wirral To meet the National and Local ambitions Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a provider to deliver the South Hub Pathology Service. This provider must be able to offer a single pathology service for the geographical area of the South Hub (see table above) delivered through a hub and spoke model. The provider must be able to deliver a single pathology service which consists of a Central Hub, situated in the geographic area, and Essential Service Laboratories (ESL) at Countess of Chester Hospital and Chester and Wirral Microbiology Services (Bromborough, Wirral). The provider must continue to maintain an ESL based at the Countess of Chester Hospital and an ESL at Chester and Wirral Microbiology Services. The provider must be able to deliver all aspects of: Cellular Pathology (Histopathology and Cytology), Mortuary Services, Blood Science (Chemistry, Haematology, coagulation and blood transfusion), Immunology, Microbiology and Point of Care pathology services within the Central Hub. The provider must be able to deliver Blood science (Chemistry, Haematology and blood transfusion), cellular pathology (Histopathology, cytology), Point of Care and a small amount of microbiology Screening (COVID, Flu testing) at the ESLs. To provide the service all hospital sites will retain their current equipment from their current suppliers, and so the provider will not be required to provide any equipment as part of this service. The Provider must demonstrate that they can fulfil the current Pathology service requirements and the future ambitions of the Countess of Chester hospital and our Stakeholders. To provide the service all current sites will retain their current equipment from their current suppliers, and so the provider will not be required to provide any equipment as part of this service. For the avoidance of doubt this is not a managed service equipment contract.
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