National Framework Agreement for Teleradiology, Telepathology and Telemedicine Services

In 2025, the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust established a Framework Agreement under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (and as amended) (the PSR) for use by all Relevant Authorities (and any future successors to these organisations). "Relevant Authority" is defined in section 12ZB(7) of the National Health Service Act 2006 and in section 10A(9) of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006. It means a combined authority, an integrated care board, a local authority in England, NHS England, an NHS foundation trust or an NHS trust established under section 25 of the National Health Service Act 2006, a county council or county borough council in Wales, a local health board established under section 11 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006, a National Health Service trust established under section 18 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006, or a special health authority established under section 22 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006. For the avoidance of doubt, any successor bodies of any of the above entities shall be entitled to place Orders and shall be deemed Relevant Authorities for the purposes of this Framework. While the demand on radiology services is increasing with the quantity of scans and required reports going up, the number of radiologists is decreasing resulting in backlogs and pressure on existing staff. Teleradiology offers trusts an alternative to manage routine, urgent or specialist workload, and supports with the reduction of backlogs in care. Teleradiology is the transmission of patients' radiological images between different locations for the production of a primary report, expert second opinion or clinical review. Telepathology is the electronic transmission of pathological images, usually derived from microscopes, from one location to another, for the purpose of interpretation and diagnosis. The different locations can be within the same organisation or in different organisations, within the same country or across international boundaries. Other areas of telemedicine are also now being explored, including but not limited to telemicrobiology and teledermatology. The scope of this agreement will include these and other specialties of telemedicine. Suppliers awarded to Lot 1 - Teleradiology and Telemedicine Services will be able to expand their offering into new telemedicine services during the term of the agreement, to help support the NHS with elective recovery. As previously advertised in the Framework tender documentation, the Framework will be reopened to new applicants annually, approximately 90 days before the anniversary of the Framework Commencement Date. Previously appointed Suppliers will NOT be obliged to reapply on an annual basis. Framework Suppliers appointed on the first anniversary of the Framework Commencement Date will be awarded a Framework Agreement of up to 3 years duration; Framework Suppliers appointed on the second anniversary of the Framework Commencement Date will be awarded a Framework Agreement of up to 2 years duration and Framework Suppliers appointed on the third anniversary of the Framework Commencement Date will be awarded a Framework Agreement of up to 1 year duration. This notice concerns the first re-opening of the Framework to new applicants.