Department plans to install new routers and tablets in emergency vehicles

Credit: PA

The Department of Health and Social Care is looking to spend £30m putting new computing devices in ambulances across the UK.

DHSC is seeking a supplier to provide a fleet of ruggedised tablet devices on which to run the national mobliisation application used by the vehicles, as well as docks and a range of accessories, including “antennas, wiring looms, connectors, external audio microphones, and loudspeakers”. The chosen provider will also be tasked with supplying routers to connect with mobile networks – including the Emergency Services Network. The department is also looking to deploy mobile device management software.

The technology will be installed in the vehicles run by ambulance trusts across England. Trusts throuhgout Wales and Scotland will also be able to roll out the devices, if they choose to.

The project will run across three phases, the first of which will involve the design of the system of devices, networks, and software. The second phase will involve construction and testing of the tablets and the services delivered via the devices. 

The final phase will see services going live, alongside support and maintenance from the chosen supplier.

DHSC may also require the chosen provider to undertake “future projects”, potentially including the integration of voice services delivered over ESN.

Bids for the project are open until 11 April, with a deal scheduled to be signed on 2 December. The contract, which will run for a term of five years and seven months, is expected to be worth £30m to the chosen supplier.