Decision details
Provision of Digital Autopsy
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Purpose:
Digital Autopsy provides a service that reduces the need for, or level of, further post-mortem examination required. This report seeks approval to enter into a 5-year contract for the provision of digital autopsy to support the coronial service at a cost of £185,000 per annum.
Decision:
That the Cabinet Member:-
(a) approves the direct award of a service contract as outlined in the report, namely the ongoing provision of a digital autopsy service to support the coronial service; and
(b) delegates authority to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Commercial Services and Director of Legal and Governance, to:-
(i) decide the procurement strategy;
(ii) negotiate and agree the terms of the new contract with iGene Digital Autopsy; and
(iii) award the new contract to iGene Digital Autopsy.
Reasons for the decision:
Continuation of the service for the residents of Sheffield is considered to benefit all residents of the city through both reduced post-mortem examinations and through faster release of bodies to families. Of the alternative options, options 1 and 2 will both, ultimately, result in scanning for Sheffield being either significantly reduced or ended.
Option 3 would result in significantly increased costs and involve the transport of bodies to and from Bradford.
Option 4 has the possibility to reduce costs, however, the risks involved in this option are considered to be too high to pursue this option and there would be a period where scanning could not be carried out while infrastructure is put in place for this to happen.
Alternative options considered:
A number of alternative options have been considered, which were:-
Option 1: Revert to the original agreement with iGene;
Option 2: End digital Autopsy in Sheffield
Option 3: Enter in to contract with Bradford Council
Option 4: SCC operates its own scanning service
Further details of these options, including their benefits, disbenefits and costs, are set out in the report.
Publication date: 08/03/2021
Date of decision: 08/03/2021
Effective from: 13/03/2021
Accompanying Documents: