For provision of a new blood culture Managed Service for North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust

Tender description

NCUH are looking to appoint a Supplier to provide a fully Managed Service contract for a New Blood Culture analysis Managed Service at their Carlisle site. Following successful award an individual contract will be signed in respect of this site. The Trust wishes to implement a Managed Service contract to replace the existing reagent rental blood culture machine. The current arrangement is that we are provided with a blood culture machine which is interfaced to the laboratory information system. We currently purchase blood culture bottles and identification kits. The bottle price is a “reagent rental” price which includes the use of the blood culture machine. The Trust is looking to appoint a single Supplier to provide an efficient Managed Service, to be implemented and closely managed for the duration of the Contract at the respective Trust site. The Service will be inclusive of equipment, consumables, staff training, support & maintenance, regular review meetings & reports. North Cumbria University Hospitals (NCUHT), Carlisle currently has an approximate annual use of 16,000 blood culture bottles per annum. This consists of aerobic, anaerobic and paediatric bottles. The ratio is roughly 6,500-7,500 of each of the aerobic/anaerobic bottles with the remaining being paediatric bottles. The department provides a 24 hour 7 day service which includes a number of shift patterns. The Trust is looking to appoint a Supplier that can meet the needs of the Trust in support of the 24/7 service to ensure the laboratory can function efficiently delivering patient care of the highest quality. The Trust continually looks to further improve the services offered, to maintain delivery of the highest quality service. Suppliers will be expected to work with the Trust, throughout the full term of the contract, with the delivery of cost efficiencies and savings which could result from continuous improvement and innovation in the services, without impacting negatively on patient safety. The Trust is looking to appoint a Supplier and intends to let a Managed Service Contract (MSC) to replace an existing reagent rental contract. Keywords: Pathology Analysers Associated Reagents & Consumables, chemical & reagents, laboratory equipment & services