Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “Cumbria & Lancashire Services Agreement
(E05)”?
E05 is the identification given by the Department of Health (DH)
to one of the schemes and resultant agreement negotiated between
the Secretary of State (SoS) and Ramsay Health Care through the
DH’s Phase 2 Independent Sector Electives Procurement
programme.
Why is an elective service needed?
The service exists to provide additional elective capacity in
key clinical specialties needed in Cumbria & Lancashire. The
service will also assist Primary care Trusts (PCTs) to increase
contestability and choice of secondary care providers for patients.
A key drive for this additional capacity is the Government
requirement of waiting times to reduce to below 18 weeks from point
of referral to the beginning of an elective procedure.
How was Ramsay Health Care selected?
The DH invited independent sector providers to register their
interests in providing clinical services in accordance with a
specification drawn up between the DH, the Strategic Health
Authority and PCTs. Independent sector bidders were then
short-listed until a Preferred Bidder was selected in accordance
with strict procurement parameters and an agreement was negotiated
in line with the specification.