Telehealth framework worth up to £420m

The Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation has issued a tender for a telehealth and telecare systems framework worth between £60m – £420m.

The tender notice, published in the Official Journal of the European Union, says the framework will run for four years.

It says the public sector procurement organisation wants to provide a cost effective service to local authorities and the framework may also be open to NHS organisations.

The telehealth framework would cover products such as patient monitoring systems, telecommunication services and equipment, community health services and health and social work services.

It will consist of three lots. The first is an online catalogue of telehealth products.

“We intend to award this element of the framework agreement to a single supplier, whose role will be to produce , host and maintain a ‘one-stop shop’ catalogue of relevant telecare and telehealth products,” the notice says.  

“The supplier will facilitate the entire transaction process, making the framework streamlined and efficient for commissioners to use – they will simply place an order.”

The second lot is for a managed service for commissioners who want to outsource their telehealth services.

“Lot two will comprise a list of proven, specialist suppliers who are able to undertake this for them,” the notice says.

This is open to multiple suppliers, but the organisation says it wants around six on the framework.

The last lot will include specialist consultants who can provide advice to commissioners and assist in implementation and management of telehealth services.

“Consultancy services will be accessed either by secondary competition, or by direct call-off at tendered hourly or daily rates.”

It adds: “A number of local authorities have already confirmed interest in accessing the framework and these include North Yorkshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council and North Hertfordshire District Council.”

The tender was published this week and will stay open for vendors until 23 July.