The West of England Pathology Network (WoEPN) has published a prior information notice for the procurement of an end-to-end digital histopathology pathway.
The group is looking for a single supplier to provide a solution that comes with an image management system, scanners, monitors and associated hardware, while also offering storage and the ability to “link seamlessly into trust’s LIMs” and with 3rd party AI providers.
The pathway will be implemented throughout the network, which is made up of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, North Bristol NHS Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust and UKHSA.
Valued at £50 million, the contract is expected to take place over a four-year period starting from October 2026. Interested suppliers are encouraged to register their interest by 6 June 2025 through Bristol and Weston Purchasing Consortium’s e-procurement system SAP Ariba, with more information found here.
Investing in digital transformation in the NHS: the wider trend
Norfolk and Waveney NHS Integrated Care Board has recently awarded a £1.2 million contract to Prescribing Services (Norwich) for their population health management and risk stratification digital services. Key requirements for this contract included bespoke data analysis through technical and digital platforms, as well as security and compliance with all information governance requirements.
Earlier this month, NHS Scotland published a prior information notice for a framework agreement to deliver a national digital diabetes remission programme, relying on digital solutions such as emotional wellbeing tools and app-based systems to aid with self-management activities. It aims to support eligible individuals with type 2 diabetes achieve remission through a “structured, digitally delivered intervention”.
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust awarded a contract to medical software company, T-Pro for the procurement of their AI-powered voice solutions, supplying the trust with their digital dictation and speech recognition services. The £375k contract forms part of the trust’s wider digital strategy, which aims to “develop and deliver services that support both the clinical staff and the public in accessing our care”.
