Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is opening a national framework agreement to provide remote specialist services in skin conditions and microbiology across the health sector. The £49m framework splits into two lots: teledermatology services covering remote assessment, triage and diagnosis of skin conditions through secure clinical image exchange and virtual consultations; and telemicrobiology services delivering specialist microbiology support including test interpretation, infection diagnosis, antimicrobial stewardship advice and second opinions.

Teledermatology enables earlier clinical decision-making by connecting patients and clinicians to specialist expertise without face-to-face attendance, reducing waiting times and improving access. Telemicrobiology provides similar remote support for infection-related investigations and clinical advice across specimen types relevant to hospital practice.

This is a framework agreement, a procurement device that sets terms and prices with approved suppliers, allowing NHS organisations to call off services as needed rather than running separate competitive tenders. Organisations already appointed to the framework can begin delivering services; other providers can bid when the notice moves to tender stage. Future call-offs will be published as they arise.