Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS England
Quarry House
Leeds
LS2 7UE
Contact
Russell Greeenwood
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
Internet address(es)
Main address
Buyer's address
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at
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
Health and Wellbeing Staff Support Text Service
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85312300 - Guidance and counselling services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need of establishing a suitable health and wellbeing offer for all our staff. As a result, we have operated a national staff support text service since June 2020, to support our NHS staff who are under enormous pressure every day.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £270,000
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
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need of establishing a suitable health and wellbeing offer for all our staff. As a result, we have operated a national staff support text service since June 2020, to support our NHS staff who are under enormous pressure every day.
Common themes that have emerged from the text service in the past six months, that we want to continue supporting our staff with include -
• Job stress
• Traumatic events
• Caring responsibilities
• Lack of support network
• Relationship breakdowns
• Health concerns
Most common issues include:
• Anxiety/stress
• Depression/sadness
• Suicide
• Relationships
• Self-harm
• Isolation/loneliness
The requirement is for a staff support text service, to continue to provide a psychological support offer for all NHS staff.
The service is provided for all health and care workers across the country. Currently over 3600 NHS staff have contacted the helpline since June 2020. On average the text service receives between 170-200 conversations a month from NHS staff.
The text service will offer NHS staff the opportunity to converse with trained crisis volunteers.
The requirement will be to run a 7-day service, 24 hours a day, that can operate nationally, and is able to cater to all groups and demographics.
This will need to be set up and delivered at a relatively fast pace, to enable a continuation in service for our workforce. There is a clinical risk attached to the necessity to keep the service continuous for our users, and therefore a gap in service will not be acceptable (a short period of transition between an old supplier and a new one can be agreed however). The existing contract is scheduled to end on the 5th August 2022.
Additionally, the supplier should be able to provide anonymized and vital data, to the commissioning organisation, to provide further understanding of emerging concerns and issues related to the health and wellbeing of our workforce. The content, structure and delivery of the reports should be open to change depending on the requirements of the commissioning organisation.
This will also conclude in an evaluation piece that will need to be carried out at intervals throughout the year. This will involve working with our evaluation lead to explore and deliver report/s through qualitative evaluation methods, such as interviews with users, to gain an in-depth understanding of service usage by staff.
Supplier Expressions of Interest
Interested suppliers should register on the NHS England & Improvement e-procurement system here: https://health-family.force.com/login
• Once logged in click 'Find Opportunities' and search for ‘Health and Wellbeing Staff Support Text Service’
• Click 'Register Interest'
• Once you have registered your interest you will be able to view the Requirements and submit a response to the question within the portal (See document once registered for more details)
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
3 May 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