The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has appointed Preston-based Bespoke Healthcare to provide the majority of its adult neurophysiology service provision.

The contract, which runs for an initial period of two years, with an option to extend for a further 24 months, will see the company assess approximately 200 patients per annum.

Services, including EEG’s, EMG’s and nerve conduction studies, will be delivered locally at the Countess of Chester Hospital, in outpatient clinic settings and directly on the wards, as and when required.

Bespoke Healthcare won the contract following a nationwide competitive tendering exercise.

Debbie Bryce, Service Manager Acute Medicine at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The benefits to patient care are a high quality consultant-led service and reporting system, and a quick turnaround of test results.

“For routine patients there will be a 14 day maximum turnaround between request for test and receipt of result, and this has been designed to help our Trust achieve the National 18 Week referral to treatment target.  For inpatient tests the turnaround of results is strictly within three days.

“We also found their pricing schedule very reasonable, and initial actions have been swift and efficient in the establishment and operation of the service.”

Bespoke Healthcare recently announced a three-year contract win with Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh Foundation Trust, and has indicated it is in advanced negotiations with other healthcare establishments.

Gwam Rajiah, managing director of Bespoke Healthcare, added: “The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust contract is a real coup, and the clearest indication yet that we are starting to make real inroads into the healthcare system.

“Our business proposition is simple in that we reduce hospital waiting times, patients are seen quickly and at their convenience, the results are immediate and accurate, and any potential issue with the individual is addressed promptly, and this message is becoming clearer.

“I expect to announce more contract wins shortly.”

Bespoke Healthcare is widely acknowledged as the leading independent provider of human nerve conduction studies for public and private hospitals throughout the United Kingdom.

Based at Millennium City Park, Preston, the company recently unveiled a major management restructure and announced an increased turnover in 2009 of £1 million.

The organisation saw over 4,000 patients last year, and hospitals who have benefitted from their services include Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Wrightington, Wigan & Leigh Foundation Trust and Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust