National Framework Agreement for Teleradiology, Telepathology and Telemedicine Services

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 telepathology, telemicrobiology and teledermatology. The scope of this agreement will include these and other specialties of telemedicine to allow for expansion into new services during the term of the agreement, to help support the NHS with elective recovery.

Radiology workflow management systems are designed to improve productivity and efficiency in radiology departments. As business intelligence systems they allow precise forecasting of reporting capacity, enabling optimisation of departmental rotas and highlight areas for strategic recruitment based on supply and demand. These systems can reduce the costs of outsourcing and support radiology departments to operate as efficiently as possible.

Proposed Framework
The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, through its Commercial Procurement Services, wishes to award a national framework agreement with three Lots:

Lot 1 – Teleradiology and Telemedicine Services
Lot 2 – Telepathology Services
Lot 3 – Radiology Workflow Management Systems

Tenders may be submitted for one or more Lots.