§ Mr. StreeterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what contractual arrangements are in place between the1466W NHS and suppliers of products involved in cervical cancer screening procedures, including notice periods for the termination of such contracts. [186568]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThere is no national contract for the national health service relating to products used during the current process of preparing cervical samples. However, the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency has just awarded a contract for liquid based cytology, which, over the remaining four years of a national roll out, will replace conventional cytology products.
Additionally, there is a national framework for gynaecological sundries, which include consumables, which are used in cervical screening such as speculum and a cervical smear. This contract runs until September 2005 and the process of renewal will be starting shortly.
Other surgical instruments are used during the taking of cervical samples. These products will remain in use following conversion and there is currently a national framework agreement in place for the purchase of reusable surgical instruments. This agreement started on 11 February 2002 and will continue until 10 February 2005, at which time a replacement agreement will commence.