ESNEFT Courier Services

The Demand

The transport of pathology samples requires timely, precise, temperature-controlled service. Failure to transport samples from extraction to the laboratory for analysis within a four-hour window and under specified temperature conditions will lead to the deterioration of potassium in the blood, which can affect the reliability of sample analysis.

Because of the broad geographic scope covered by the community healthcare services of East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), reliable pathology transport can positively impact the accuracy of results, patient outcomes, and the workflow of concerned healthcare providers. If healthcare providers run out of the consumables needed to extract pathology samples, daily operations will be disrupted, and the quality of medical services will be compromised.

EMED’s Pathology Services

EMED Group (ERS Medical under this contract) has provided courier services for ESNEFT since August 2016. Its Hub and Spoke model and satellite stations around the area allow EMED Courier Services to optimise delivery time and efficiently meet its clients’ requirements. EMED has around 24 vehicles collecting pathology samples from local medical practices and safely delivering them to various regional laboratories for analysis.

EMED’s dedicated courier vehicles have a temperature-controlled cargo area containing a fridge and controlled drug-lockable drawers. Each vehicle is connected to software designed to monitor its location and internal and external temperatures digitally.

The ability to alter temperatures from -10°C to 25°C while receiving real-time location and temperature updates is a highly appealing feature to EMED’s clients, allowing a service delivery with 100% compliance.

This courier service also includes transporting consumables from EMED’s ‘pick and pack’ warehouse in Ipswich. This allows medical practices to place direct orders through an online portal, which it then delivers to help maintain a steady and reliable supply of consumables. In November 2023, EMED’s teams picked and delivered over 18,046 products across the region.

Service Delivery Success
EMED’s capacity as the incumbent courier service provider in the region also allows it to provide additional services, such as the transport of vaccines and the home delivery of pharmaceutical goods to eligible patients through dedicated pharmacy vehicles.

On average, EMED Courier Services transports up to 1.4 million biological samples annually for ESNEFT. Its dedicated staff genuinely understand the significance of their roles, allowing EMED to conduct its services in a safe, friendly, compliant and reliable way. This helps to reduce stress for patients waiting for their medical results.

According to Micropathology Ltd and additional sources, the cost of pathology sampling in 2023 ranged between £6-£190 per unit, depending on the sample type. EMED’s 100% compliance rate through our specialist staff and vehicles prevents the need to resample and ensures that the NHS saves time, resources and costs.

Delivering a consistent and regular service prioritising patient outcomes also allows EMED’s staff to build a positive rapport in local healthcare settings, guaranteeing a flawless delivery process. To reflect this, in November 2023 alone, ten local surgery surveys were completed with positive remarks, highlighting our “very good” service.