here's a pure gem from someone who sent a letter to Jane Gallagher as a word attachment (perhaps the most common attachment on the web). I think you can even open a word document as text if you had to.

Dear All,

I got this response and a subsequent phone call from BUPA today.

I think that it is surprising that they don't have Word 2007 but maybe that is why they are trying to cut costs!

Has anyone else had a similar e-mail about future opportunities to tender?

Michael

"Dear Mr Nicol

I am sorry we are not able to read your attached letter as it is in a
Word format which is not compatible with Bupa's computer system. I am
sorry I was not able to contact you by phone this afternoon.

The deadline for submitting an online tender is midnight tonight, and
the phone lines close at 5pm. If you miss the deadline, you will see on
the Bupa therapies online website a notice later in the year regarding
arrangements for further opportunities to tender, if you so wish."
And another... I think it's going to be a long night for Ms Gallagher. Looking forward to my response but nothing received as yet.

I just received the response below to an email I sent claiming that I felt I was unable to tender due to many of the reasons that we have been discussing. They still seem to think the bullying tactics will work obviously, and are also not able to accept that changes have been made and further clarity is required. Anyone else had similar? Paul

From Jane Gallagher;

Dear Mr Goss,

We do not agree that there are any problems with the contractual terms proposed for the tender and there have been no changes to the tender process. The deadline for submissions under the tender will remain as midnight tonight. If you do not submit a tender by that date we may be unable to consider you for participation in the tender process which would mean you will not be recognised by us to provide treatment to our members funded by Bupa. From the 15th May 2009 the current basis on which you provide treatment to Bupa members will end. Whilst I would hope that you will now be able to submit a response to the tender I do appreciate this is a matter for you to decide."

The Terms and Conditions have been available to review for the past 4 weeks, we believe this has offered time to take independent advice if required.

 The benchmark prices in the tender are based on recent claims for physiotherapy treatment. There is the opportunity to submit a proposal to Bupa and in establishing agreements we will consider a number of factors. Session averages and price are extremely important but so too is the clarity that contracts will provide (clearly agreed terms between Bupa and the clinician for physiotherapy services offered to our members) and all elements have value such as location, clinical specialties and evidence of service excellence.

We can confirm that any submission which is made by Bupa Wellness in relation to the tender is made on exactly the same basis as any comparable physiotherapy provider. Whilst the businesses of Bupa Insurance and Bupa Wellness may have links there is separate management involved. The involvement of Bupa Wellness in this tender has at all times been at arms length. The teams dealing with the Bupa Wellness proposal and the Bupa Insurance tender are managed separately and information has only been provided between the two on the basis it would be provided from Bupa Insurance to any other provider. Any bid from Bupa Wellness will be subject to the same consideration as any other provider.

With kind regards

Jane Gallagher
Physiotherapy Tender Team
Bupa, Thames Side House, Staines, Middlesex TW18 4TL
It's interesting that BUPA Wellness are still publishing on their websites that they charge £51 for a 30 min session, £73 for an initial assessment and £127 for an 'Opinion and Report'. I thought those were above what they believe to be industry standards or as they put it 'value for money'?