Half a Million Saved on New Pathology Managed Laboratory Service

In January 2015 the PPSA commenced a joint Pathology Managed Laboratory Service procurement process for Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

The current Managed Equipment Service contract had been in place since April 2006 and was due for renewal after exhausting all extension options.

The procurement involved 4 pathology disciplines which were split into the following lots;

Chemistry and Managed Laboratory Service
Haematology
Blood Transfusion
Coagulation

The PQQ and subsequent tender responses were scored collaboratively during several evaluation meetings with both Trusts agreeing on the score for each question.

The eventual outcome was an award as follows;

Chemistry and Managed Laboratory Service – Roche Diagnostics Limited
Haematology – Horiba UK
Blood Transfusion – IBG Immucor Ltd
Coagulation – Diagnostica Stago Limited

As a Managed Laboratory Service contract, Roche Diagnostics Limited will manage the overall contract including the winning bidders of the other lots.

The saving realised exceeded the 20% that the Trusts were looking to achieve, with Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust realising an annual saving of £294,145 and 28% and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust realising an annual saving of £185,193 and 28%.

Stakeholder Comment

“South Devon and North Devon Trusts decided on a collaborative approach when it was time to replace their existing pathology managed laboratory service contract. Since the PPSA had a history of handling successful tenders for both sites, it was decided to use them again.

The tender was put together using key laboratory staff from each site and with Kathleen Dennis from the PPSA at the helm, went as smoothly as any tender could, with all key milestones being met. The eventual new contract was actually signed a month ahead of schedule, delivering savings, which were far in excess of expectations, even earlier for both Trusts.”