FAQs relating to procurement

I would like to request additional information relating to the inspection and maintenance of any of the following systems under Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment (LOLER) regulations 1998:

• Patient lifting hoists/slings

• Bath hoists

• Stand aids

• Other disability hoists

• Track hoists

• Any other equipment used to lift people in a medical setting.

Please could you provide the following information:

1. Who currently provides the above-mentioned services?

Response: ARJO UK Ltd.

2. Is there an existing contract in place that governs the provision of these services?

Response: Yes.

3. If so, when is the current contract due to expire?

Response: February 2026.

4. Is there an extension clause in the current contract?

Response: No.

5. What is the current contract value annually (per year)?

Response: This information is exempt under section 43 (commercial interests) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), as the information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests. West London NHS Trust has considered the public interest in disclosing this information and has determined that the prejudice arising from disclosure outweighs the benefit to the public. It has been determined that disclosure could result in a competitive disadvantage to the supplier, could damage the supplier’s and the Trust’s commercial interests, and could damage the Trust’s financial interests.

6. How was the contract awarded?

Response: ARJO is the primary supplier of medical beds and patient Handling Equipment at West London NHS Trust. ARJO has the level of expertise necessary to deliver the contract in the best interest of patient/staff safety and value for money.

7. Who oversaw the contract award? Please provide a phone number/email address.

Response: Head of Risk, Health, and Safety in consultation with the Trust’s Procurement Team.

8. Is there any intention to release a tender for the above-mentioned services in the near future? If so, kindly provide an estimated timeline or relevant details.

Response: No

9. If applicable, please provide information of which main contractor provides Hard FM services

Response: N/A.

1. Testing and Management Protocols for Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)

1.1. Does your Trust have a clinical protocol for testing and managing patients for CRE?

Response: We do not do routine testing for CRE. If we do get a positive case, then appropriate Infection Prevention Control (IPC) precautions will be implemented.

1.2 Which diagnostic companies or providers does your Trust procure molecular testing kits for services for CRE from?

Response: N/A

2. Testing protocols for Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection

2.1. Does your Trust have a formal protocol for testing patients for Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) infection?

Response: The protocol the Trust follows is that if anyone has a type six/seven bowel movement, a faecal specimen is obtained and sent to the relevant laboratory, and the protocol is that it is tested for Clostridioides difficile as well as for other infections.

2.2. Which diagnostic companies or providers does your Trust procure molecular testing kits for services for C. difficile from?

Response: N/A.

3. Testing and procurement for Tuberculosis (TB) resistance

3.1. What methods does your Trust use to test for TB resistance?

Response: N/A.

3.2. Which diagnostic companies or providers does your Trust procure molecular testing kits for services for TB resistance from?

Response: N/A.

1. Please can the Trust advise when their current managed print contract started?

Response: April 30 2025.

2. Please can the Trust advise when their current managed print contract ends?

Response: April 29 2026.

3. Please can the Trust advise whether there are extension options with this managed print contract?

Response: Yes.

4. Please can the Trust advise when their current extension starts?

Response: Not within the extension period yet.

5. Please can the Trust advise when their current extension ends?

Response: As above, not in an extension period.

6. Please can the Trust advise which print management software it uses? For example, Paper Cut, SafeQ, PCounter, SafeCom.

Response: Information held by the supplier, Papercut.

7. Please can the Trust advise how many MFDs (photocopiers) the Trust has?

Response: Information held by the supplier.

8. Please can the Trust advise how many printers (non-photocopiers) the Trust has?

Response: Information not held within the Trust.

9. Does the Trust have an on-site reprographics department? (Area for specialist or high-volume printing?)

Response: No.

10. Please can the Trust advise how much it spends per year on print?

Response: Section 43 FOI Act 2000 - Commercial interests.

This information is exempt under section 43 (commercial interests) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), as the information would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests. West London NHS Trust has considered the public interest in disclosing this information and has determined that the prejudice arising from disclosure outweighs the benefit to the public. It has determined that disclosure could result in a competitive disadvantage to the supplier, could damage the supplier’s and the Trust’s commercial interests, and could damage the Trust’s financial interests.

Find more about Section 43 on the Gov.UK website.

11. Please can the Trust advise who is responsible for printing at the Trust?

Response: Andrew McEwan, Director of Digital Services.