Providers are requires to provide options based on both a variable number of test strips and glucose meters.

Currently test strips are delivered to the hospital pharmacy store and issued to users from there.

Future options may include remote deliveries if the contract is extended beyond premises owned/managed by Bolton NHS Foundation Trust.

The scope of contract requires the provision of meters to measure ketones; and requires an electronic management system that interfaces to a diversity of analysers, typically used outside laboratory settings.

Although the majority of meters will be required to download results into the electronic management system; some will not.

Both types of meter and the test strips are required from the same provider.

The period of contract will be for 36 months with an option to extend for up to a further 24 months.