Public procurement notice: Prior Information Notice Without Call For Competition
Published: 2019-11-14
Buyer: NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership
Country: UK
Contract type: Services
CPV classification: 72222300: Information technology services

Technical requirements: NWSSP procurement services is issuing this PIN to engage with the market for a robotics clinical partnership requirement.
The primary curative treatment for bowel cancer is surgery. Across Wales, there is a variation in surgical outcomes carried out for colorectal cancer. There are a number of emergent technologies being introduced in an attempt to improve the quality of surgery. A joined up All Wales Robotics programme is needed to safely introduce, monitor and improve quality of colorectal cancer surgery. Over the last decade, robotic surgical platforms have been shown to allow surgeons unrivalled vision and access resulting in precisional surgery and vast improvements in patient outcomes, patient and surgeon satisfaction with reductions in length of hospital stay.
Access to robotic surgery has traditionally been limited in the UK, however the situation has dramatically changed in the last 5 years to an extent that most large health boards with a catchment population in excess of 350 000 have developed a robotic surgical program. Conversely in South Wales, access to robotic surgery has been limited to patients with certain urological malignancies and similar patients in North Wales have had to travel to centres in England. Despite the international evidence base growing and further development of robotic surgery in England, most notably in the fields of gynaecological and lower gastrointestinal tract malignancies, no such program exists for Wales.
Of the 33 recognised UK gynaecological centres, only 4 do not currently have access to robotic surgery for their patients, 3 of which are in Wales. It is therefore essential, that Wales develops a nationwide robotic network to ensure that all patients within the country have access to the most advanced techniques that are currently available to similar patients in England.
Surgical management of colorectal cancer would also realise benefits as long term survival rates for colorectal cancer in Wales are amongst the lowest in Europe and within the country, there is a wide variation in the management and outcomes for these patients. Robotic surgery is a recognised technique for the management of rectal carcinoma and further developments in the fields of colonic carcinoma and lymph node surgery are likely to further extend the ‘reach’ of the robotic platforms. The development of a robotic network across Wales is likely to result in the concentration of expertise, sharing of best practice, collaboration for the management of the most complex patients, resulting in significant improvements in patient care and ultimately outcomes.
NHS Wales is seeking an industry partner to develop a countrywide robotic surgical network aiming to make available the most advanced surgical techniques to the entire population. As a result of the unique geography in Wales, NHS Wales would require a robotic partner that shares NHS Wales vision in utilising technological solutions to overcome environmental challenges.
The innovation partnership desire is to deliver a robotic solution that can be easily transported between sites overnight. In addition, we seek a partner who will work with NHS Wales to develop a true network of robotic surgeons, using technology to facilitate communication and sharing of skills and knowledge between clinicians on a national basis.
Should you be interested in this procurement, please send an email to Emma Lane, procurement business manager based within Cardiff and Vale UHB via emma.lane@wales.nhs.uk with the following information:
Expressions of interest will be collated for the project team who will then review this information and will be in contact to discuss future steps.