At the double! Speed Couriers win two major NHS contracts
Speed Couriers, the leading Manchester-based medical specialist courier company, has won two prestigious contracts to deliver medical services across the UK.
The company, founded 37 years ago, has been awarded the contracts through Crown Commercial Services (CCS). CCS are the biggest public procurement organisation in the UK working for central government and across public sector.
The Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust has accepted Speed Couriers’ Cytology tender to provide specialist pathology and pharmacy transport services for infectious substances, diagnostic specimens and other biological substances. The contract will run through to June 30 2024 with a possible three-year extension.
Meanwhile Crown Commercial Service themselves have awarded the company a framework contract for the specialist collection and delivery service of items including samples, specimens, controlled drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, documents, medical supplies and medical equipment. The contract will run through to February 2026.
Speed Medical Couriers specialist healthcare division provides a secure distribution channel for NHS Trusts, GP surgeries and private pathology services. The company collects and delivers pathology samples, blood, records and internal mail and consumables and everything in between.
Shaun Merrick, Managing Director, commented: “These two prestigious contracts are a resounding endorsement of what we do. We are very proud of our track record in the safe, efficient, and secure delivery of goods across the UK since the company was formed in 1985.”
“We are constantly trying to improve every aspect of our service. During the global Covid pandemic, for example, we were a major courier for testing kits and other Covid-related items. Meanwhile our state-of-the-art vehicles have fully climate-controlled temperatures which can keep medical supplies either hot or cold, depending on what is needed.”
“Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is a prestigious organisation to be associated with and combined with Crown Commercial Service we are providing key services for these major players in the health sector across the North West. We are honoured to be working with them and look forward to delivering these vital courier services efficiently and safely further building on our reputation as leaders in this specialist field.”
Speed Couriers provide a complete outsourced solution that is more cost-effective, responsive and flexible than an in-house transport division, or simply ad hoc or scheduled movements with all the benefits of specialist medical couriers and equipped vehicles as and when they are needed.
“Our comprehensive fleet also allows us to undertake larger deliveries that are often outside of the scope of vehicles operated by NHS Trust transport departments. For example, we recently moved two entire operating theatres for one NHS client.
“Each of our medical couriers undergoes a formal vetting process that includes a CRB check, and a Government “right to work” check. Each courier also receives full training in the movement of pathology samples, including best practice for packaging and storage and the process to be followed in the event of a spillage,” explained Mr Merrick.
Speed Couriers also operates a strict set of “Model Rules”, governing behaviour, process and security to protect the integrity of patient identifiable materials. This approach ensures compliance with Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) and Clinical Pathology Accreditation CPA regulatory requirements.
