CT-Guided Biopsy Diagnostic Capacity Support Service

Description

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust intends to award a contract for the provision of additional CT-guided biopsy capacity to support timely diagnosis and treatment pathways. The service includes CT-guided biopsy procedures, consultant-led intervention, histopathology support and associated diagnostic services. The Trust has undertaken the Most Suitable Provider Process under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 and has identified the provider as the most suitable provider having regard to the key criteria. This notice serves as an intention to award a contract under the Most Suitable Provider Process.

Key facts

Procedure

Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition

Lots

1

Contact

Senior Category Manager - Corporate

ekh-tr.procurement@nhs.net

Category

services

Awarded suppliers

• HCA International Ltd · GB-COH-03020522 · UKI

Ground given for limiting competition

The buyer’s own stated reason for awarding without open competition, as published. Their assertion, not a finding.

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 and Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust has undertaken a Most Suitable Provider Process in accordance with the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 for the provision of specialist CT-guided biopsy services. The Trust has identified HCA International Ltd as the most suitable provider having regard to the statutory key criteria, including quality and innovation, value, integration and collaboration, improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating patient choice, and social value. The service is required to support respiratory and lung cancer pathways through the provision of specialist CT-guided biopsy capacity. The Trust determined that the immediate requirement was for CT-guided biopsy services and did not proceed with the previously considered Ion Navigation Bronchoscopy pathway. HCA International Ltd demonstrated specialist clinical capability, consultant-led CT-guided biopsy services, imaging infrastructure, pathology support, available capacity and the ability to mobilise within the required timescales. The provider was assessed as capable of supporting timely diagnosis and improving pathway resilience for East Kent patients. The immediate requirement relates to approximately 15 patients; however, the Trust anticipates that additional activity may be required during the contract period. The proposed arrangement therefore provides access to additional specialist capacity should future demand arise. The Trust concluded that HCA International Ltd represents the most suitable provider to deliver the required service and intends to award the contract following completion of the applicable Provider Selection Regime standstill period. The standstill period begins on the day after publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to the decision makers by 10 November 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the Provider Selection Regime.