Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
WARRINGTON AND HALTON TEACHING HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Lovely Lane
WarrINGTON
WA51QG
Contact
Alison Parker
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKD61 - Warrington
NHS Organisation Data Service
RWW
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://whh.enquiries.procurement.team@nhs.net
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
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.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £75,000,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKI - London
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
Main site or place of performance
Warrington
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.
It is the intention to award under the Most Suitable Provider Process. The approximate lifetime value of the contract is £75m. This a new service.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Most suitable provider process with regard to the key criteria with a weighting of 100 / Weighting: 100
Cost criterion - Name: Most suitable provider process with regard to the key criteria with a weighting of 100 / Weighting: 100
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award 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 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by Midnight on Monday 28 July 2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
11 July 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
St Helens
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKD - North West (England)
NHS Organisation Data Service
RBN
Internet address
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £75,000,000
Total value of the contract/lot: £75,000,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award 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 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by Midnight on Monday 28 July 2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.
Key Decision Makers
Chief Strategy & Partnerships Officer
Medical Director
Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Chief Executive
Deputy Director of Strategy & Partnerships
Pathology Manager
Associate Director of Finance
There were no declared conflicts or potential conflicts of interest
Key Criteria as set under the Most Suitable Provider Process used to made the decision were as follows:
Quality & Innovation 5%
Value 20%
Integration, collaboration and service sustainability 60%
Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice 5%
Social Value 10%
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Warrington
Country
United Kingdom