AF Ablation for Private Patients

This contract is for a 6-month loan of the CARTO™ 3 System equipment and the purchase of consumables necessary to perform atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures. Both the equipment and consumables will be used exclusively for private patient treatments. The CARTO™ 3 System is a standalone medical device used in electrophysiology labs to diagnose heart arrhythmias. It collects data from intra-cardiac catheters and provides electrophysiologists with detailed, real-time 3D visualizations of the heart chambers and catheter positions. This advanced mapping technology aids in accurately guiding ablation procedures by creating precise anatomical maps of the heart, improving treatment safety and effectiveness. A direct award for a 6-month pilot of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation technology is justified under Schedule 5 of the Procurement Act 2023, which allows direct awards for prototypes and development. The pilot tests a novel AF ablation method at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust , focusing on feasibility and capability rather than long-term supply. Following the pilot, a cost-benefit analysis will determine whether to proceed with a full business case and competitive procurement. This approach complies with the Act’s requirements for targeted testing before wider adoption.