Request for Information: Direct Access Pathology for Hounslow GPs

NHS Hounslow Clinical Commissioning Group (HCCG) is considering its procurement options for re-commissioning GP Direct Access Pathology Services for its 306,745 registered patients and 49 GP practices.

The CCG currently commissions GP Direct Access Pathology from two providers at an annual cost of £3.5m for 2.1m tests.

The CCG seeks to secure these tests at less than a £3m per year from April 2018 through consolidating service provision to a single provider. Within the reduced costs of the service, the CCG would expect the provider to deliver an increase in the number of tests year on year and deliver the following service enhancements:

• More flexible specimen pickup arrangements, including later afternoon pickups, and potential for evening pickups and weekend pickups to meet primary care needs and the care closer to home agenda. • Better access for GPs to access pathology consultant advice and guidance, perhaps through introduction of a question and advice chat room with a contracted response time. • Ensure that CCG continues to receive value for money with a regular benchmarking process to ensure contracted test prices are priced at the market rates to reflect technology advancement.

Further information on the proposed service is available in the draft service specification.

The CCG wishes to commission the new pathology service to begin from April 2018, potentially with a phased mobilisation process, following a procurement process that will conclude by December 2017. The CCG is considering offering a contract with initial term of 5 years with the potential to extend for a maximum further 3 years on a yearly basis, subject to an annual review of performance.

The CCG wishes to engage with providers of Pathology Services to seek their views on its attached draft service specification and understand market willingness and capability to bid for the new service.

Additional information: Organisations interested in the provision of pathology services are encouraged to complete the attached engagement questionnaire, to be returned by email to greg_reide@nhs.net by 5pm on 1st September 2017.