Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
East London NHS Foundation Trust
9 Alie Street
London
E1 8DE
Contact
Mr Zach Nguyen
Telephone
+44 2076554000
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKH2 - Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://procontract.due-north.com/
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
PIN Notice: Counselling Services in Bedfordshire
Reference number
DN533507
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85312320 - Counselling services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
ELFT delivers IAPT psychological therapies services in Bedfordshire (excluding Luton), and currently commissions Counselling provision to an external provider. The Trust is currently seeking expressions of interest to deliver the counselling service.
The counselling service must be delivered in line with the IAPT model and use the Trust’s clinical record system to maintain accurate records of appointments attended, outcome measures, etc. in line with the national Minimum Data Set (MDS) for IAPT.
Due to Covid-19 both the overall IAPT service and the Counselling component are currently being delivered mainly by video and telephone but in future we expect to return to offering face-to-face delivery for those who prefer it. Therefore an existing local presence in Bedfordshire, or the ability to develop this quickly, would be an advantage.
The service consists of a time-limited course of counselling following the principles of the national IAPT programme. The provider will be expected to accept referrals following assessment by ELFT IAPT clinicians, managing the waiting list effectively to keep waiting times at an acceptable level, and delivering effective therapy to help service users to achieve a Recovery outcome, as defined in the IAPT manual. The service will provide brief counselling, recording the IAPT minimum data set at each appointment, with a target to deliver at least 200 attended appointments per month (likely to equate to around 40-45 people per month starting treatment). These activity targets may be increased (in agreement with the provider) to reflect increasing local access targets and/or demand for counselling.
The provider will operate as an integral part of the Bedfordshire Wellbeing Service and adhere to its performance, operational, and safeguarding standards.
Expression of Interest Questions
Please demonstrate with relevant examples (500 words each) -
1) Your experience of delivering an IAPT-compliant counselling service to a diverse population and delivering positive experiences and clinical outcomes for service users, with particular reference to the recovery rate.
2) Your ability to recruit, maintain and manage a workforce sufficient to achieve contractual activity targets, including ability to expand to meet contractual changes or short-term spikes in demand? Please highlight your strategies and track record.
3) How will you ensure that the counselling service is able to offer treatment appointments in a timely manner to ensure that the service achieves the national 90-day waiting time standard?
Please submit your responses via Proactis Due-North Project DN522507.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85312320 - Counselling services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH2 - Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
- UKI - London
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
PIN Notice
two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
This contract is subject to renewal
Yes
Description of renewals
Market Test. Contract will have options for extensions.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
1 April 2022
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes