22.06.20
NHSX launches £3m tender to phase out pagers by end of 2021
NHSX has issued an open opportunity tender worth £3m, seeking a framework agreement to be established for NHS organisations to procure communication services as it looks to phase out pagers by the end of 2021 and move to more modern communication tools.
This shift to newer technology by NHS trusts has been mandated by the Secretary of State and the agreed approach, therefore, will need to ensure NHS trusts can award contracts to suitably qualified and experienced suppliers capable of delivering against this requirement – whilst still promoting innovation and delivering against a digital maturity model.
The tender – details of which can be found here – was published on June 19, 2020 to a value of £3m, with a closing date of July 6, 2020.
Together with connected call-off agreements, the framework agreements will provide contract vehicles for NHS trusts and hospitals to use to purchase systems and services which are assured against the frameworks specifications and standards.
The provisional intention is for the framework to remain open (valid) for two years with a potential extension for 12 months thereafter.
The services provided under the Clinical Communication Tools framework will cover the provision of applications, in line with the business requirements, mandatory functionality and compliance in keeping with the following:
Mandatory functionality:
- secure messaging
- image sharing
- staff directory [linked to the global NHS.net address book]
- calls
Compliance:
- patient safety regulations
- GDPR and UK data protection
- NHSD SCCiO requirements for both DCB0129 clinical safety risk assessment and DCB01260
- Clinical Safety Case
- NHS IG DSP Toolkit
- ISO 27001:2017
Associated services (which are services associated with the implementation or optimisation of the application):
- Implementation support
- training materials
- video/online/in app training
- 24/7 customer support online/in app/via phone
- online knowledge centre
- 1:1 remote training
Services sold under the Clinical Communication Tools framework agreement will generally be sold on the basis of software as a service (SaaS) with licences granted to customer users where appropriate.
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