NHSX seeks remote monitoring suppliers to manage Covid-19 pressure

NHSX is seeking suppliers of remote monitoring technology to help scale solutions across the UK in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

In a tender notice published on 15 May, the organisation called on technology companies with “evidenced examples” of the successful use of their innovation to apply.

The remote monitoring care solutions will have a “particular focus on Covid-19 patients and the management of patients with long term conditions to support care during the next phases of the pandemic”.

Successful suppliers will form part of the Spark Dynamic Purchasing System, which enables suppliers to offer their solution to the whole public sector.

The system will be continually open to new suppliers and aims to match capabilities to needs, the tender notice states.

Suppliers have until 29 May to apply, with the contract beginning on 30 June.

The NHS has rapidly stepped up its digital capabilities since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

Remote consultations have become the norm, with GPs, outpatient services, dental practices and other services only open for face-to-face appointments in emergency or special cases.

NHS England issued a confidential 48-hour tender for the immediate provision of online primary care consultations in March, in a bid to help the health service cope with unprecedented pressure caused by the virus.

Eleven suppliers were selected to provide video consultations, alongside separate suppliers for four other lots including text messaging, video consultations and automated triage.

To support practices that are yet to put video consultation services in place, NHSX confirmed the use of WhatsApp, Skype and other off-the-shelf messaging apps can be used as a short-term measure.

NHS Digital also fast-tracked assurance of video products on the new Digital Care Services Framework (DCSF).

Digital technology is also at the frontline of the governments “test, track and trace” approach, with the contact-tracing app developed by NHSX expected to be rolled out in the coming weeks. It’s currently being trialled in the Isle of Wight.

To find out more about the tender visit the government’s contract finder here.