UCL Partners Procurement Services, on behalf of Whittington Health NHS Trust (WH), wishes to procure a service provider to deliver its Histopathology and Cytopathology service, to include medical reporting. The Trust requires: processing of histology specimens from receipt of sample to dispatch/release of reports, processing of diagnostic cytology specimens from receipt of sample to dispatch/release of reports and processing of gynaecological cytology specimens from receipt of sample to release of reports.

In conjunction with the laboratory services, WH is also seeking a solution for the medical / clinical reporting aspects of their Histo/Cytopathology service, including, clinical advice, surgical cut-up, reporting including intraoperative diagnostics, multi-disciplinary team meeting preparation, attendance and participation, adult consented post mortems, teaching and training, research, audit and education.

The Histo/Cytopathology department is UKAS accredited and in each financial year receives approximately 12 100 Histology requests spanning a wide range of specialities (major surgical resections received for breast and colorectal), 1 100 Diagnostic Cytology requests and 21 400 Cervical Cytology samples. A winning bidder will need to enter into an arrangement with an NHS Trust whereby that Trust will employ the medical staff (doctors) and administrative staff. It is for bidders to determine how the arrangement with the third party NHS Trust will operate (whether by way of a sub-contract, consortium or other arrangement) and bids should be priced accordingly. In addition to the Laboratory Staff, the service also includes budget for four Consultant Pathologist posts; two positions are currently vacant. There is also a Registrar Post, currently filled by a Trust grade doctor. WH's expectation is that TUPE will apply to all the current staff in post involved in any transfer.