The Ambulance Radio Programme (ARP) is being rolled out nationally to provide NHS ambulance services with a new digital radio network and associated communications services, including a managed service for the radio terminals, integrated communications control systems, and mobile data applications. The first region (Essex) entered live service in June 2007.
Analysys Mason originally acted as technical adviser for the procurement phase, and is now leading the technical team for the Department of Health (DH), supporting the roll-out of the ARP across all of the NHS ambulance services in England.
The contract to deliver the programme was awarded by the DH to O2 Airwave (now Airwave Solutions Ltd) in July 2005, after a national procurement exercise. The contract is valued at £390 million over 13 years.
A key aim of the programme is to provide better data communications to help NHS ambulance services improve patient care and meet efficiency and response targets. Mobile data traffic already accounts for some 80% of ambulance communications, using legacy analogue systems as well as commercial bearers.
Experience
Analysys Mason was chosen because of its extensive experience in large-scale public sector procurement projects, combined with its detailed knowledge of relevant mobile technologies. This has been gained from projects such as the procurement of Airwave for the police services in England, Scotland and Wales, and from numerous similar projects carried out overseas.
From the experience of the pilot in Essex, Quentin Armitage, National Implementation Director for the ARP said: "We are delighted with the positive feedback we have received from users of the new Airwave service in Essex. The lessons we have all learned from the roll-out in this pilot area will help ensure successful delivery of the programme nationally. Ultimately, better communications for the ambulance service will enable them to continue improving patient care."
Specialist input
As technical adviser to the procurement, Analysys Mason’s activities included:
- advising on technical strategies
- evaluating suppliers’ technical submissions
- co-ordinating inputs from across the evaluation team
- producing the evaluation report with a shortlist of recommended suppliers.
Analysys Mason then led the detailed technical negotiations, while also supporting the financial and commercial teams through ‘best and final’ offers, final negotiations, and supplier selection.
Implementation
For the implementation phase, as well as leading the DH’s technical team, Analysys Mason is providing specialists to support other aspects of the programme (particularly programme and project management roles). Activities during this period include:
- advising on all technical matters
- reviewing and approving technical submissions
- running the test and verification programme
- implementing the service management and performance monitoring regime.
Throughout the programme Analysys Mason has been called upon to provide specialist advisers across a range of technical disciplines, which include those outlined below.
Specialist areas covered by Analysys Mason advisers
:
|
Control room integration (CAD, mobile data, ICCS, etc) |
Radio terminals and installations |
| Fleet mapping |
Security |
| Network performance and capacity |
Coverage |
| Network monitoring |
voice quality |
| ITIL service management |
VoIP |
