SCC APC Contract for a Transport Removals Service on Behalf of H.M. Coroner for Surrey

The Coroners Act 1988 places several duties on Local Authorities for the provision of a Coroner’s Service. The Coroner is an independent judicial officer whose role is to investigate the causes of sudden deaths, deaths of unknown cause, unnatural or violent deaths or deaths in custody. Bodies that fall under the jurisdiction of the Coroner are transported to a designated mortuary under specific conditions for further investigation and possible post-mortem.

The proposed objectives of this procurement are as follows.

• i.To put in place via an open tender process a compliant contract to deliver a Coroner’s Transport Removal service on behalf of HM Coroner for Surrey.
• ii.To ensure the contract provides value for money.
• iii.To deliver a contract which supports collaborative working and delivers continuous improvement.
• iv.To deliver a service which compliments and helps to support other contracts such as the provision of mortuary services.

The proposed objectives of the contract are as follows:

• i.To meet the requirements of The Coroners Act 1988.
• ii.The movement of deceased, coming under the jurisdiction of the Coroner, to a pre-designated mortuary for investigation.
• iii.Collection of deceased within 1 hour of the call out.
• iv.Adherence to strict procedures to ensure the dignity of the deceased is maintained at all times.
• v.Adherence to strict procedures to ensure integrity of evidence that may be pertinent to a criminal investigation.
• vi.Adherence to strict procedures to ensure safekeeping of any personal effects on the deceased and preservation of evidence (compliance).

In order to meet these objectives, The Council is seeking to appoint one or more contractors to cover the predetermined geographical lots within Surrey. The successful contractor(s) will be required to be member of one of the following:

• i.National Association of Funeral Directors
• ii.The National Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors