Abbott has been selected as the supplier for a seven-year tender that allows them to provide instruments, tests, lab automation and other laboratory management services to hospitals in the Greater Glasgow Health Board (GGHB) community.

The contract is the largest contract for automated diagnostic services awarded in Europe and one of the top ten in the world.

The agreement brings ARCHITECT integrated instruments to Victoria, Yorkhill, Stobhill and Western Infirmary Hospitals as well as incorporating Accelerator™ laboratory track solutions at Southern General Hospital, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Gartnavel General Hospital, further enhancing the consistency and efficiency of the diagnostic testing process at these facilities.

"Abbott will provide services covering all disciplines of the laboratory, including Abbott's biochemistry, as well as osmometry, blood grouping, coagulation, allergy and other testing supplied through partnerships established by Abbott, making this the first contract of this nature and volume in the United Kingdom," said Tom Divers, chief executive officer, Greater Glasgow Health Board. "Additionally, Abbott's ability to supply a wide selection of diagnostic instrument configurations to best meet our adult and pediatric hospital testing needs was a key part of this agreement and will allow us to standardize processes and compare results across our seven hospitals."

The intention is to save NHS Greater Glasgow approximately £9 million over the life of the contract.