Sodexo contract for NHS Test & Trace work extended
July 02, 2021
Sodexo has been selected to operate a further 121 fixed and mobile Covid-19 testing centres for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) - making it the largest provider in the country.
This means the company, which already runs 202 fixed and mobile sites, will operate 30 per cent of all UK testing centres from next month. The value of the award could be up to £404m, although the amount may differ materially from this as the contract is designed to be flexible to the demand for testing over the coming months.
In total, Sodexo will operate 28 regional (drive-through) testing sites, 146 local (walk-in) testing sites and 149 mobile testing units, as well as the recruitment of testers for 67 sites operated by other service providers, from 16 August 2021.
Sodexo has been working in partnership with DHSC to support the test centre programme since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, mobilising and operating regional, local and mobile testing centres across the UK, as well recruiting testers.
This has helped the firm gain the experience and expertise needed to respond to the fast-changing demands of the pandemic.
For example, at the start of the pandemic Sodexo set up its first test centre within four days and can now set up mobile test centres with less than a day’s notice.
The contract, for 12 months with an option to extend a further six months, has been designed to incorporate this flexibility and includes the ability to bring about surge testing or even the demobilisation of sites, if required.
Stuart Winters, CEO Healthcare of Sodexo UK & Ireland, said:
I am incredibly proud of how we have supported the Government on test centres to date. Our teams have moved quickly to set up Covid-19 testing centres as part of the industry-wide effort to tackle the pandemic.
Our colleagues have gone above and beyond, working with pace and dedication to help keep people safe.
As one of the government’s strategic suppliers, Sodexo has been part of the industry-wide response to Covid-19 and has been involved from the early stages of the outbreak, providing a range of services to help fight the virus.
It also works with local authorities and corporate organisations to support testing programmes for their employees.
