---
title: "Pathology Service Joint Venture"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-03a281"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-03a281"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-03a281.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-03a281.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "THE CHRISTIE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST"
published: "2025-05-12"
---

# Pathology Service Joint Venture

Buyer: THE CHRISTIE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-03a281

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## Summary

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, located in Manchester, is seeking a new commercial partner for a joint venture to provide comprehensive pathology services. The procurement process is in the tender stage and uses a competitive dialogue method. This collaboration aims to secure an exceptional partner who can deliver high-quality pathology services that meet the needs of a specialised cancer centre. The contract, valued at £240,000,000, spans an initial term of 15 years, with an option to extend up to 5 more years. Key dates include the tender process closing on 27th November 2023, with invitations for the second stage being sent on 11th December 2023. The services are specifically targeted to support translational biomarker development and the development of world-class infrastructure in the UKD3 region.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses that specialise in high-quality pathology services, infrastructure development, and research and innovation integration. Firms that possess expertise in creating scalable, technology-enhanced service models will find this opportunity appealing. Participation in this project could enhance a business's profile and offer expansion in the healthcare sector, particularly for those looking to align with strategic ambitions related to cancer care and research. With the focus on delivering a modern, thriving pathology service in collaboration with academic partners, the opportunity is ideal for businesses looking to participate in groundbreaking medical developments through a public-private partnership.

## Notice

The Trust has worked with a commercial partner in a joint venture (JV) arrangement to deliver a comprehensive pathology service for the last 10 years. Building on this knowledge and experience, the Trust was looking for a new partner that matches its ambitions.
The initial term of the pathology service JVwill be for a period of fifteen (15) years with an option to extend by up to five (5) years.
The Trust was looking for a partner that will;
* Provide an exceptional, high-quality service that meets the specialist needs of a
comprehensive cancer centre;
* Provide investment for the provision of world class infrastructure;
* Embrace the exciting opportunities presented with the co-location of a world leading
oncology research centre; and
* Provide expert guidance along with the creativity and drive to deliver a modern, thriving,
truly exceptional pathology service for patients.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The current pathology service provides routine and specialist pathology services with c100 dedicated staff on The Christie Hospital site. The service includes translational biomarker development and supports the Trust's ambitious Research and Innovation (R&I) programme and clinical trials portfolio.

Demand for testing is increasing year on year reflecting the Trust's oncology case load. The Trust sought a JV pathology partner who is able to deliver the Trust's strategic ambitions, including accommodation of projected testing growth demand and flexible options for the development of facilities, estate, technology, and changes in clinical pathways.

Vision
To provide a world leading comprehensive pathology service that supports timely and highquality
delivery of patient care - regionally and nationally - and develops an internationally recognised workforce who, with academic and industry partners, deliver a pioneering
programme of research and innovation.

Principles/Objectives
The Future Pathology Service should reflect the following principles/objectives:

* Safe, effective, and responsive to the diversity of patient and clinical needs and offers the specialist and integrated pathology services needed to support a regional tertiary cancer centre.
* Delivery of a sustainable future pathology workforce
* alignment with the Trust's Vision and Values and the objectives of Greater Manchester Cancer.
* Commitment to working as part of Greater Manchester ICS in the delivery of the Core20PLUS5 programme to support the reduction of health inequalities at both national and system level.
* Enabled by a strong digital infrastructure and capability. Adopting digital opportunity and technology advances to deliver more efficient and scalable pathology services.
* A service model that considers The Trust's local, regional national and international partnerships, including engagement with the Greater Manchester Pathology Network to
explore opportunities to support system requirements.
* Delivered through a partnership that has a strategy for profitable growth through expanding test repertoire and customer base.
* Builds upon the Trust's reputation as an international leader in research and innovation, which is further strengthened by being a partner in the Manchester Cancer Research Centre
(MCRC) and Health Innovation Manchester.
* A service with capital investment to provide best in class facilities.
* A service that has education at its core.

The Future Operating Model for Pathology must include:

* An end-to-end comprehensive pathology service
* Blood sciences including haematology, blood transfusion, clinical biochemistry and immunoassay
* On-site essential services laboratory to support time critical and pathway critical services
* Histopathology (including immunohistochemistry and receptor analysis)
* Stem Cell Laboratory
* Point-of-Care Testing
* A future-proof design with activity growth in service expectation factored in - including expansion of on-site and off-site facilities to meet projected demand;
* An agile approach that can respond to evolving technology and operational requirements and provide improvements to the Trust Pathology Estate;
* Training, Development and Education, Research and Innovation
* Positive workplace culture
* IT infrastructure and digital enablement (including Digital Histopathology)
* Best in class equipment and instrumentation

Renewal: The proposed contract is to be let for an initial term of 180 months. There is also an option to extend the Contract by up to a further 60 months following the initial term.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020567-2025 |
| Notice type | Planning Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Competitive dialogue |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 12 May 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 27 Nov 2023 |
| Future notice date | 30 Apr 2023 |
| Award date | 11 May 2025 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | £240,000,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £200,000,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | THE CHRISTIE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST |
| Locality | MANCHESTER |
| Post town | Manchester |
| Postcode | M20 4BX |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLD North West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLD3 Greater Manchester |
| ITL 3 | TLD33 Manchester |
| Local authority | Manchester |
| Electoral ward | Withington |
| Westminster constituency | Manchester Withington |
| Delivery location | TLD North West (England), TLD3 Greater Manchester |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | SYNLAB |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85110000 - Hospital and related services
- 85111800 - Pathology services
- 85111810 - Blood analysis services

## Release History

- 12 May 2025 at 14:18 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020567-2025
- 12 May 2025 at 14:08 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020560-2025
- 12 May 2025 at 14:00 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020542-2025
- 12 May 2025 at 13:59 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020539-2025
- 12 May 2025 at 13:58 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/020538-2025
- 26 Oct 2023 at 15:22 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031674-2023
- 6 Feb 2023 at 15:42 - TenderUpdate - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003612-2023
- 2 Feb 2023 at 16:22 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003320-2023

## Notice URLs

- http://www.synlab.co.uk
- https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
- https://www.christie.nhs.uk
- https://www.christie.nhs.uk/
- https://www.judiciary.uk/courts-and-tribunals/high-court/

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-03a281. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-03a281.json.