Pathology services

Tender description

Provision of Trisomy of FASP Service compromising both sample analysis and risk calculation. The requirement is for the combined test for 1st trimester Down's Edward's and Patau's screening and the Quadruple test for 2nd trimester Down's screening. Free Foetal DNA testing is also desirable and would be required when it becomes part of the National Screening Programme. Detailed Specification: (a) Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust wishes to invite tenders for the provision of its Trisomy of FASP Service to commence 1 January 2018. The Trisomy of FASP Service will comprise both sample analyses and Down's, Edward's and Patau's risk calculation. We will require the combined test for 1st trimester Down's, Edward's and Patau's screening and the Quadruple test for 2nd trimester Downs screening on singleton and twin pregnancies, ideally providing individual risks for each twin. (b) In addition, the chosen laboratory will be required to have a demonstrable procedure for handling outlying results, for example, low PAPP-A. (c) Free Foetal DNA testing is also desirable but will be required when it becomes part of the National Screening Programme. The annual workload is approximately 4000 Combined Tests and 1000 Quadruple Tests. We would expect approximately 150 Free Foetal DNA tests initially but for this to increase in line with National Screening Programme recommendations. (d) The chosen laboratory will be fully UKAS ISO15189 accredited and adhere to the National Screening Committee Guidelines. In addition, the successful laboratory will need to be able to demonstrate excellent performance on both internal quality control and external quality assessment schemes (enrolment with both UKNEQAS and DQASS will be expected) and be prepared to share both recent and future reports. (e) We require a 3 working day turnaround time from receipt of specimen to delivery of the report (8 working days for Free Foetal DNA). (f) The report must be delivered in an electronic format, preferably via National Pathology Exchange (NPEx). Additionally, patient letters should be generated and sent directly to patients, in order to communicate low risk results. High risk results should be notified to the Antenatal Screening Co-ordinators, by telephone. We will expect regular review sessions to ensure turnaround times are being met, results are of the expected quality and all other aspects of the contract are being met appropriately. We expect sufficient indemnity should incorrect results/risks be issued. Please refer to Terms & Please see below table entitled Appendix A Usages as per below Tests Annual No of Tests Combined 4000 Quadruple 1000.