WBS and VUNHST welcome GPI leaders for BECS contract signing

16 January 2025

The Welsh Blood Service and Velindre University NHS Trust were delighted to welcome a delegation from GPI Spa to sign the contracts on the new Blood Establishment Computers System (BECS), earlier this week.

UK Country Manager, Lee Bellis, was joined by the International Operations Director for GPI, Fabio Rossi, who travelled from Bologna to meet WBS Deputy Director, Peter Richardson, VUNHST Chair Sara Moseley, and interim Chief Executive Carl James at Trust headquarters in Nantgarw.

GPI Spa is an established supplier of digital healthcare solutions across the world including Blood Establishment Computer Systems to a number of European Blood Services, and was recently announced as the preferred bidder for the new BECS contract.

The deal will integrate all aspects of the blood supply chain in Wales into one system, from appointment booking and donor matching, to patient matching and hospital ordering. The new platform will be in place by the end of October 2027.

The contract signing marks the start of a long-term strategic partnership with GPI over the next decade and beyond.

Fabio Rossi, International Operations Director for GPI Spa, said:

“This is a wonderful day for GPI and the Welsh Blood Service. It’s an agreement that I hope will have a long duration. We have an opportunity to create a common partnership on blood solutions based on our mutual capabilities.”

Peter Richardson, Deputy Director and Head of Quality, Safety and Regulatory Compliance, said:

“I’m honoured to welcome Fabio to Wales and the headquarters of Velindre University NHS Trust. On behalf of the Welsh Blood Service, I’d like to thank Fabio, Lee, and his team for work they put into the bidding process.

“This partnership represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to implement a future-facing BECS, and GPI is the ideal strategic partner to help us to take the Welsh Blood Service to the next level.”

Carl James, interim Chief Executive of VUNHST, said:

“This is a momentous day for Velindre University NHS Trust and the Welsh Blood Service. I’d like to thank everyone involved in the process over the past few years. It’s been a huge and important endeavour from all parties, one that has been done with commitment and professionalism.”