Assistive Technology Solutions

Telecare Equipment

Assistive Technology equipment includes hardwired and dispersed; Telecare, Telehealth and Telemedicine products which allow residents to live independently whilst providing the reassurance of being able to summon help at the touch of a button.

Consortium Procurement has offered members the ability to procure Community Alarms equipment for over fourteen years, providing excellent value for money and a stable, mature supply chain.

As the market has developed, consultation with member organisations has shown that the focus for our partnerships should be in maintaining access to quality equipment at low cost, but also to carry forward the emerging agenda and help members in their transition from Telecare, through Telehealth, to Telemedicine.  This is an ongoing process, and one that Consortium Procurement is committed to in support of its membership through the life of the current partnership and beyond.

The Partnership

The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHS PASA) was identified as the key delivery agent to develop and manage a procurement framework to assist service commissioners in the procurement of telecare products and services. Telecare equipment is provided to support an individual in their home and tailored to meet their needs.

NHS PASA and the Consortium agreed to work together to facilitate the running of a Mini Competition under the National Framework Agreement.  Consortium Procurement's framework has appointed 7 suppliers who provide access to equipment and services covering 15 modalities defined by NHS PASA. The purpose of the Consortium Procurement Mini Competition was to identify those suppliers who:

• Have the greatest understanding of the sector and its challenges
• Are able to support Consortium members on their journey from Community Alarms to Telemedicine
• Illustrate that they have the required culture of innovation and continuous improvement
• Provide excellent value equipment and services based on Consortium member's aggregated demand

The Consortium's mini competition framework, in conjunction with NHS PASA, has delivered a four year national framework agreement in support of the Department of Health's vision of building a strong telecare infrastructure telecare, covering:

• Telecare/Telehealth equipment
• Installation
• Maintenance
• Monitoring
• Response

A key priority for the procurement process, as with the development of all Consortium solutions, was compliance. Member organisations require the ability to procure from their selected partner(s) from the Consortium solution without the need for further competition, and with the ability to refer to the process that set out the compliance with the European Union Procurement Directive and any relevant procurement guidance from UK regulators.

The Consortium Approved Partners

For further information regarding these agreements, please contact the Business Development Team on: 0191 566 1000 or email: solutions@consortiumprocurement.org.uk