Pathology services

{
  "id": "060200-2025",
  "tag": [
    "planning"
  ],
  "date": "2025-09-26T14:30:06+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-05a355",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-NHS-RJR",
    "name": "COUNTESS OF CHESTER HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST"
  },
  "tender": {
    "id": "G/0996",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "planned",
        "description": "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:\nNorth Hub - Liverpool\nEast Hub - Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens, Warrington & Halton\nSouth Hub - Cheshire West and The Wirral\nTo 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.\nThe provider must be able to deliver all aspects of: \nCellular 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.\nThe 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.\nThe 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.\nTo 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."
      }
    ],
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1",
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UKD63"
          },
          {
            "region": "UKD74"
          }
        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "85111810",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Blood analysis services"
          },
          {
            "id": "85111820",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Bacteriological analysis services"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "Pathology services",
    "status": "planned",
    "coveredBy": [
      "GPA"
    ],
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "32014L0024",
      "scheme": "CELEX"
    },
    "description": "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:\nNorth Hub - Liverpool\nEast Hub - Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens, Warrington & Halton\nSouth Hub - Cheshire West and The Wirral\nTo 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.\nThe provider must be able to deliver all aspects of: \nCellular 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.\nThe 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.\nThe 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.\nTo 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.",
    "communication": {
      "futureNoticeDate": "2025-11-05T00:00:00Z"
    },
    "classification": {
      "id": "85111800",
      "scheme": "CPV",
      "description": "Pathology services"
    },
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services"
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-NHS-RJR",
      "name": "COUNTESS OF CHESTER HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKD63",
        "locality": "Chester",
        "postalCode": "CH21UL",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Liverpool Road"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "https://www.coch.nhs.uk/",
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "BODY_PUBLIC",
            "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Body governed by public law"
          },
          {
            "id": "07",
            "scheme": "COFOG",
            "description": "Health"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "RJR",
        "scheme": "GB-NHS",
        "legalName": "COUNTESS OF CHESTER HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION TRUST"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "name": "Thomas Parsonage",
        "email": "t.parsonage@nhs.net"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "description": "This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intended approach notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.\nThe award decision-makers will be the Board of the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.\nThe intention is to award a contract using the most suitable provider process.",
  "initiationType": "tender"
}