National Framework Agreement for Teleradiology, Telepathology and Telemedicine Services

Description

While the demand on radiology services is increasing with the quantity of scans and required reports going up, the number of radiologists is decreasing resulting in backlogs and pressure on existing staff. Teleradiology offers trusts an alternative to manage routine, urgent or specialist workload, and supports with the reduction of backlogs in care. 
Teleradiology is the transmission of patients’ radiological images between different locations for the production of a primary report, expert second opinion or clinical review. Telepathology is the electronic transmission of pathological images, usually derived from microscopes, from one location to another, for the purpose of interpretation and diagnosis. The different locations can be within the same organisation or in different organisations, within the same country or across international boundaries.
Other areas of telemedicine are also now being explored, including but not limited to telemicrobiology and teledermatology. The scope of this agreement will include these and other specialties of telemedicine. Suppliers awarded to Lot 1 – Teleradiology and Telemedicine Services will be able to expand their offering into new telemedicine services during the term of the agreement, to help support the NHS with elective recovery. 
Proposed Framework:
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, through its Commercial Procurement Services, wishes to award a national framework agreement with two Lots:
Lot 1 – Teleradiology and Telemedicine Services
Lot 2 – Telepathology Services
Tenders may be submitted for one or more Lots.