Non-Obstetric Ultrasound Services (NOUS) for Sandwell & West Birmingham CCG

Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG issued a contract notice on 4 November 2019 (Ref: 2019/S 214-526294) to procure a non-obstetric ultrasound service (NOUS). The CCG has decided not to award a contract and to abandon the procurement.

The candidates and tenderers who participated in the process have been informed as follows: In March 2020, the Secretary of State for Health exercised emergency powers under section 253 of the National Health Service Act 2006 (as amended) and since then the National Health Service Commissioning Board (Coronavirus) Directions 2020 have been in force. SARS-CoV-2 was declared as a Level 4 national incident requiring command and control by NHS England/Improvement.

On 1 August 2020 the incident was moved to Level 3, meaning it requires a response from a number of NHS organisations working as part of a local system. In the light of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the CCG has, in accordance with paragraphs 25.1.2 and 4.3 of the ITT, taken the decision not to proceed with the Procurement.

Given COVID-19 and its impact, the CCG needs to re-establish and, if necessary, re-design services. The CCG's priorities have changed since the start of the Procurement and the CCG needs to re-assess the Services.

The CCG, working as part of the local system and in accordance with the guidance issued by NHS England/Improvement, needs to be certain that patient needs will be met. It does not therefore consider it to be in the best interests of the local population, or in the public interest, to proceed with the Procurement at this time.