Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust intends to award a contract for managed courier, logistics, collection, transport and distribution services. The seven-day service supports clinically critical and business-critical movements across Trust sites and interoperable routes involving Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The scope includes pathology specimens, medicines, sterile services items, clinical equipment, podiatry equipment, consumables, post, parcels and agreed ad hoc movements. Services include route management, tracking, incident escalation, business continuity, performance reporting and continuous improvement.

Procurement Act 2023

Direct award DHL currently operates the infrastructure, routes and processes supporting Oxford Health’s integrated logistics network and interoperable services with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. An immediate change of provider would require separation and redesign of interconnected routes, mobilisation of replacement arrangements and validation of clinical handover, tracking, escalation and business-continuity processes. This would create disproportionate technical and operational difficulties and a material risk to clinically critical service delivery. The Trust has considered reasonable alternatives and concluded that none can meet the immediate integrated requirement without significant mobilisation and continuity risk. Maintaining the integrated route structure also avoids unnecessary duplication of journeys and supports carbon-reduction objectives. The award is limited to the period required to maintain continuity while the Trust reviews its longer-term transport and logistics operating model.