Siemens Breaks New Ground in the Provision of Automated Pathology Solutions

In a landmark deal with Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust has opted for a total pathology solution to meet all its blood science analytical requirements. Under the terms of this Managed Service agreement, Siemens Diagnostics will provide everything the Trust needs (including building works, instrumentation, service and maintenance, consumables and equipment/software updates) to deliver its test requirements in blood chemistry, haematology, immunoassay and coagulation testing services. The managed service contract will be for 15 years with the option to extend the contract into other pathology disciplines.

The University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) sought to partner with a single supplier to provide analytical systems across its three sites at Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester General Hospital and Glenfield Hospital. The brief was for the solution to fit the space available and to provide more effective, modernised laboratories at an affordable price. The plan would encompass all building work necessary for implementation and it was in this aspect of the Trust’s requirements that Siemens was able to draw on experience and contacts within the Siemens Healthcare Group. Siemens experience at running pathology managed service contracts over the past 20 years meant that the Trust could take advantage of cost savings along with the ability to reclaim VAT.

Alun Jenkins, Pathology General Manager comments “From the outset of this project we were determined to simplify the contracting arrangements for the delivery of pathology services. To this end we wanted a solution which met all our technical requirements but also resulted in us dealing with a single supplier. UHL had experience in setting up Managed Service agreements in other parts of the Trust and we brought this to the project. Siemens experience in managing large and complex projects meant that they were able to offer the best technical solution which also delivered best value for money”.

Jeff Appleyard, Regional Business Manager comments, “This partnership with the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust illustrates our ability to meet more than the instrumentation needs of our customers and demonstrates the combined strength of the divisions under Siemens Healthcare in securing this important tender bid. Working with other Siemens Healthcare divisions we were able to offer a complete solution including building works – all from one supplier. We were also able to incorporate 3rd party suppliers’ products/services, thus giving the Trust great flexibility in the overall solution”.

Pathology services at UHL, one of the largest clinical laboratories in the UK, are delivered form 3 hospital sites. Leicester Royal Infirmary is soon to take delivery of a completely automated laboratory solution, incorporating ADVIA^® Chemistry Systems, ADVIA Centaur^® XP Immunoassay Systems and ADVIA^® 2120 Haematology Systems with the ADVIA^® Autoslide Slide Maker Stainer and Stago STA-Evolution. All systems are connected using the ADVIA^® LabCell^® Automation Solution. The Leicester General Hospital and Glenfield Hospital, will each have an ADVIA^® Chemistry System, an ADVIA Immunoassay System and ADVIA^® 2120 Haematology and Stago STA-Evolution. All sites will be connected through the ADVIA CentraLink Data manager to provide efficient data handling between all 3 hospital sites.