PATHOLOGY SERVICES

Location

Musgrove Park Hospital

Description

The aim of the service is to provide a comprehensive, high‑quality diagnostic and clinical laboratory service that supports timely, accurate patient care. This includes delivering a full range of specialist and routine testing across Clinical Biochemistry, Haematology, Immunology, Molecular Pathology, Cellular Pathology, and Biomedical Imaging, ensuring clinicians have access to reliable results and expert interpretation.

Total Quantity or Scope

The provision of pathology services. The Authority is intending to award the contract to an existing provider following the direct award process C.The lifetime value of this contract is expected to be £200,000.00 This is a call off order. The contract dates are 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029.This is an existing service with the existing provider.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85111800 - Pathology services

Indicators

• Award on basis of price and quality.

Legal Justification

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of thiscontract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication ofthis notice. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 31March 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as anintention to award under the PSR.

Other Information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) confirmation of contract award notice. This contract has been awarded under 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 decision makers were: Service Manager for Pathology, Bereavement & Spiritual Care Services Clinical Support & Cancer Services Directorate.No conflicts of interest were declared among decision makers.The key criteria were weighted as follows:30% quality and Innovation30% Value15% Integration, Collaboration and Service Sustainability15% Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice10% Social valueThe weightings reflect the need to balance clinical excellence with financial responsibility while ensuring long‑term service stability and public value. Quality and innovation, along with value for money, are weighted highest (30% each) because the service is clinically critical and must remain both safe and cost‑effective. Integration, collaboration, and sustainability (15%) recognise the importance of maintaining seamless pathways and avoiding disruption to established systems. Improving access and reducing inequalities (15%) ensures the service continues to support equitable patient outcomes. Social value (10%) is included to acknowledge wider community benefits while keeping the primary focus on clinical and financial priorities.The rationale for choosing the provider with reference to the key criteria:The existing suppliers are experienced services providers with a proven track record, and they are highly likely to be able to satisfy the new contract to a sufficient standard.