Planning

Pathology Services

  • WARRINGTON AND HALTON TEACHING HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-028685

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-05296b

Published 30 May 2025, 10:36am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

WARRINGTON AND HALTON TEACHING HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

Lovely Lane

WarrINGTON

WA51QG

Contact

Alison Parker

Email

alison.parker1@nhs.net

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKD61 - Warrington

NHS Organisation Data Service

RWW

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.whh.nhs.uk/

one.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Health


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Pathology Services

Reference number

CCSP0046

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 85111800 - Pathology services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

Provision of Pathology Services

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKD6 - Cheshire

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

In 2019 the NHS Long Term Plan set out the key ambition that all pathology services in England would be part of a pathology network by 2023 (now April 2025). In response to this the Cheshire & Merseyside Pathology Network developed an Outline Business Case which detailed an ambitious Target Operating Model which consists of developing 3 pathology hubs which would work together to make the best use of the assets and capabilities available, and to deliver on the benefits to patient care that are available by working more closely together. These three hubs cover the following geographical areas:

North Hub - Liverpool

East Hub - Sefton, Knowsley, St Helens, Warrington & Halton

South Hub - Cheshire West and The Wirral

To meet the National and Local ambitions Warrington & Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts are seeking a provider to deliver the East Hub Pathology Service. This provider must be able to offer a single pathology service for the geographical area of the East hub (see table above) delivered through a hub and spoke model. The provider must be able to deliver a single pathology service which consists of a Central Hub, situated in the geographic area, and Essential Service Laboratories at Ormskirk Southport, St Helens, Warrington, and Halton hospitals. The provider must be able to deliver all aspects of: Cellular Pathology (Histopathology and Cytology), Mortuary Services, Blood Science (Chemistry, Haematology, and blood transfusion), Immunology and Microbiology pathology services within the Central Hub. The provider must be able to deliver Blood science (Chemistry, Haematology and blood transfusion) and a small number of Microbiology Screening (Blood Cultures and Cerebral Spinal Fluid) tests on site at the Essential Services Laboratories. To provide the service all hospital sites will retain their current equipment from their current suppliers, and so the provider will not be required to provide any equipment as part of this service.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

25 June 2025


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intended approach notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award.

The intention is to award a contract using the Most Suitable Provider Process. The decisions makers are key stakeholders with Warrington and Halton NHS Foundation Trust