The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has initiated a market engagement process to assess and enhance the capabilities necessary for effective response during health emergencies. This initiative focuses on key areas such as surveillance, infection detection, case management, and contact tracing, critical for managing public health crises.

The UK's health agency aims to improve preparedness planning and ensure access to scalable digital solutions designed to mitigate transmission and support public health interventions during future pandemics or other infectious disease events. Specifically, the agency is seeking insights into both current and emerging technologies, including those not initially engineered for pandemic response. Information is especially sought on tools that can effectively monitor infection transmission, implement infection control measures, identify exposure, and facilitate public communications during health emergencies.

In addition to exploring technology capabilities, UKHSA is aiming to evaluate the operational capacities of suppliers, focusing on their ability to deploy solutions rapidly at scale. This includes an assessment of how various intervention and surveillance technologies perform across diverse settings. Understanding the costs associated with the implementation of these technologies is also a key focus, covering aspects such as licensing, infrastructure, user adoption, and system integration.

The feedback gathered during this market engagement is expected to identify innovative practices and emerging technologies that can enhance public health outcomes. This information will inform the agency's future commercial strategy and ensure that procurement processes encourage competition and innovation in the sector. The deadline for suppliers to engage in this process is set for 2 October 2026.

In related news regarding health technology procurement in the UK, Barts Health NHS Trust is in the process of selecting a supplier for a fertility EPR (electronic patient record) system, with an estimated contract value of £350,000. The selection will be based on criteria weighted heavily towards quality, with additional emphasis on price and social value, and is expected to run from October 2026 to September 2028, with a potential extension for a further year.

Additionally, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust recently awarded a contract worth £145,710 to Orchid Software for an occupational health EPR, designed to support efficient case management and health surveillance, with a three-year duration concluding on 30 July 2029.

In a separate development, South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has announced a procurement opportunity for a digital consent and decision-making solution, with an estimated total value of £135,000. This contract will be awarded following a tender process, with services anticipated to commence in January 2027 for an initial three-year period, potentially extendable by two further 12-month terms.

These initiatives reflect an ongoing commitment among UK health trusts to invest in technology solutions aimed at improving healthcare delivery and management.

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