Toxicology Reporting Services

Tender description

In summary, the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council Coronial Service requires the following from a Toxicology Reporting Service: • Sample collection kits; • Testing, analysis and interpretation of results; • Interpretative toxicology reports to HM Senior Coroner and Pathologist within contract timescales; • 24/7 emergency cover with urgent access and testing required in certain limited circumstances; • Maintenance of adequate contact between HM Senior Coroner's Office and staff; • Attendance at Inquest as required (additional fees paid as per the Coroners and Justice Act - The Coroners Allowances, Fees and Expenses Regulations 2013); • Monthly statistics and performance indicators to the Customer. • In addition to standard/routine and specialist toxicological, biochemical and immunological full advice and interpretation Service will be required. • These Services will be in support of the following legislation and/or guidance and any amendments thereof: o Coroners and Justice Act 2009 (c. 25) Part 1 - Coroners etc.; o Coroners and Justice Act 2009 - Schedule 5 if appropriate; o Statutory Instrument 2013 No. 1629, CORONERS, ENGLAND AND WALES, The Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013 o Human Tissue Authority (HTA) in relation to the retention and disposal of samples; o The appropriate licence in relation to the Misuse of Drugs Act for the possession of Analytical Standards, Occasional Misuse of Substances found in possession of the deceased where a Coroner (non-criminal) investigation has taken place; o Compliance with either ISO17025 or ISO15189 accreditation and/or the latest United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists (UKIAFT) Forensic laboratory guidelines. o Where appropriate evidence of mapping from the Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA) to UKAS is essential. Exceptionally verifiable compliance with the forensic toxicology laboratory standards set out by the United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists (UKIAFT) will be considered as an alternative; o Compliance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and/or Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and/or Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA), ISO 9001:2008 and quality standards is desirable; o Recognition of the requirements of the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Act 1984.