East Midlands procurement hub selects SRC for digital dictation and speech recognition
London, 10 April 2008 - SRC, the UK’s leading provider of healthcare digital dictation and speech recognition solutions, has been awarded preferred supplier status for the provision of Digital Dictation and Speech Recognition solutions across the East Midlands Strategic Health Authority. The award, by the East Midlands re:source procurement hub, is the result of an eight month evaluation process and enables all NHS Trusts across Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire County & Rutland and Northamptonshire to contract with SRC for the provision of cost effective Digital Dictation and Speech Recognition solutions without the need to carry out their own time consuming and costly tendering process.
The selected SRC WinScribe solution will enable member Trusts to replace their inefficient tape based analogue dictation equipment with a leading edge digital system incorporating advanced workflow capability, which significantly simplifies and shortens the dictation and document creation process. Doctors and authors will, for the first time, be able to dictate anywhere and instantly transfer digital audio files to secretaries or groups of secretaries for rapid transcription. Whilst secretaries will be able to view the details of all dictations, for example priority, length of dictation, author, and consequently manage their workloads more efficiently. The solution provides the option of using speech recognition software in order to produce automated drafts of dictations for review and correction by either the author or a secretary. The system also provides administrators with the flexibility to eliminate backlogs by reassigning, sharing or even outsourcing work as well as providing accurate data for the review of dictation processes and resource planning.
Before the contract was awarded to SRC, re:source procurement hub undertook an extensive evaluation process which included a tender through OJEU (Official Journal of European Union), presentations, interviews, system demonstrations by representatives from four short-listed companies and full commercial negotiations. Originally 12 companies submitted an expression of interest following the placement of the OJEU notice. The results of the evaluation, which was marked on a number of key criteria – technical ability, experience, support and services, value for money and financial stability – involving representatives from major Trusts within the East Midlands, was the unanimous appointment of SRC as sole supplier with a score of more than 96%.
Speaking about the contract Maninder Dulku, Purchasing Manager at re:source procurement hub said: “We are constantly investigating new technologies which our member Trusts can use to streamline processes and thereby improve patient Referral to Treatment (RTT) times. SRC clearly understood our objectives for the project and have the best solution and services coupled with a proven deployment track record. SRC’s experience and expertise will provide the perfect platform for the rapid implementation and adoption of digital dictation by member Trusts, enabling them to change working practices to improve productivity and maximise the financial benefits available.”
Chris Hart, CEO at SRC said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the East Midlands contract. This not only confirms the cost effectiveness and superiority of the SRC WinScribe solution but also recognises SRC’s leadership in the supply, implementation and support of such systems. We now look forward to working in partnership with member Trusts to understand their specific needs and objectives and to complete the timely delivery of projects which will provide real improvements in document creation efficiencies, staff empowerment and sustainable pathway timescales.”
SRC has already successfully delivered digital dictation and speech recognition solutions to the following NHS Trusts: Chesterfield Royal, Dudley Group of Hospitals, Homerton Hospital, Royal West Sussex, Brighton and Sussex, Hammersmith and Charing Cross and North West London Hospitals.
