Bioquell Regulatory News (BQE)

16 Oct 2009 07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

16 October, 2009

BIOQUELL PLC

Award by the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency to BIOQUELL

of a framework agreement relating to the supply of

Gaseous Room Decontamination Equipment and Services to the NHS 

BIOQUELL PLC ("BIOQUELL") (LSE: BQE), the UK leader in specialist bio-decontamination technology and testing/compliance services, announces that the Group has been awarded a framework agreement (the "Framework Agreement") by the National Health Service ("NHS") Purchasing and Supply Agency ("PASA") for the supply of BIOQUELL's bio-decontamination equipment and specialty services into NHS hospitals. 

This Framework Agreement award facilitates the provision by BIOQUELL to NHS hospitals of:

Gaseous Room Decontamination Equipment;

Gaseous Room Decontamination Service; and/or

Emergency Call Out Service for Gaseous Room Decontamination.

The Framework Agreement runs until 30 September 2011; however, PASA has the option to extend it until 30 September 2012.

Two companies have been awarded a framework agreement for the supply of Gaseous Room Decontamination technology to NHS hospitals. PASA reviewed both parties' submissions and awarded the highest score, totalling 95%, to BIOQUELL's unique bio-decontamination technology.

Background

The award of this Framework Agreement follows on from many years of work, in the UK and internationally, by BIOQUELL deploying its hydrogen peroxide vapour ("HPV") bio-decontamination technology to eradicate "superbugs" from the hospital environment, including: 

the publication in August 2009 of a joint report by the Department of Health and PASA on the use of BIOQUELL's HPV bio-decontamination technology in seven NHS Showcase hospitals - where "99% of staff would recommend it";

BIOQUELL winning a prize in February 2009 from the Department of Health and PASA for the technology with the greatest contribution to controlling Clostridium difficile in hospitals; and

the award in October 2007 of Category One status to BIOQUELL's technology by the Department of Health's 'Rapid Review Panel' ("RRP"). (BIOQUELL's technology remains the only bio-decontamination technology with Category One RRP status.)

Commenting on the Framework Agreement award by the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency, Nick Adams, Chief Executive of BIOQUELL PLC said:

"We are delighted by the award of this NHS decontamination framework agreement which represents the culmination of nearly ten years of extremely hard work - including research and trials - to demonstrate the use of BIOQUELL's bio-decontamination technology to eradicate 'superbugs' from the hospital environment and reduce the rate of Healthcare Associated Infection."

"We look forward to helping NHS hospitals drive down their Healthcare Associated Infection rates - and in particular assisting them in combating the issues created by the new strain of Clostridium difficile."

Enquiries

Nick Adams BIOQUELL PLC 01264 835 900

Mark Bodeker www.bioquellplc.com

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Notes to Editors / further information

link to Showcase Hospital Report: "99% of staff would recommend it":  http://www.clean-safe-care.nhs.uk/Documents/090817_HCAI_Technology_Innovation_Programme_Showcase_Hospitals_Report_3_The_Bioquell_Hydrogen_Peroxide_Vapour_(HPV)_Disinfection_System.pdf 

link to award for greatest contribution in controlling Clostridium difficile: http://www.pasa.nhs.uk/PASAWeb/NHSprocurement/News/Archive/HCAITechnologyInnovationProgrammeawardceremony.htm 

link to Rapid Review Panel Category One status award by the Department of Heath: http://www.clean-safe-care.nhs.uk/ArticleFiles/Files/061121%20Maidstone%20and%20Tunbridge%20Wells_approved_V2.pdf 

link to BIOQUELL press release relating to award of Category One status: http://www.bioquell.co.uk/News.asp?ex=1&Ctrl=2&view=1&id=56&pid=593 

link to BIOQUELL case studies on Department of Health website: http://www.clean-safe-care.nhs.uk/Public/default.aspx?level=2&load=ArticleViewer&ArticleID=465