Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Wirral Community Health & Care Trust
Church Road
BIRKENHEAD
CH420LQ
Contact
Heather Thornton-Dawson
Telephone
+44 1515142888-6004
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKD74 - Wirral
NHS Organisation Data Service
RY7
Internet address(es)
Main 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
Long Covid Assessment Service
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Citizen's Advice Wirral has provided this service for Long Covid since 2021 when the service was started.
Our Social Prescriber has had training within our clinical systems and is able to access patient records which help to enhance the care that is available to our patients. DPIA is in place and has been updated accordingly.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £40,066
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKD - North West (England)
Main site or place of performance
Wirral
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The intention is to award a contract to an existing provider following direct award process C.
Citizen's Advice Bureau have been sub-contracted to provide the Social Prescribing service to support the Long Covid Service since the service was started back in September 2021, and have provided effective support in response to service user's needs.
Citizen's Advice Wirral already provide Social Prescribers to both PCNs and GP Practices and therefore have the expertise to provide this service. They also have capacity to continue to support this service which enables us to have a fully functioning MDT to provide quality and effective support and treatment to patients coming through the service.
The proposed contract value for 2024/25 is £20,033.00 which is a 5% rise from last years contract price and has risen to accommodate rising staffing costs through pay awards. Value will be £40,066 if the extension for 12 months to March 2026 is enacted.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard / Weighting: 100
Cost criterion - Name: Direct Award C / Weighting: 0
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: Yes
Description of options
12 month extension to 31/03/2026
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 24th May 2024.
This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
10 May 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Wirral Citizens Advice Bureau Limited (operating as Citizens Advice Wirral)
Haymarket Court, Conway Street,
Birkenhead
CH41 5HS
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKD - North West (England)
Charity Commission (England and Wales)
1109156
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Initial estimated total value of the contract/lot: £40,066
Total value of the contract/lot: £40,066
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period.
Representations by providers must be made to decision makers at wchc.wchcpsr@nhs.net by 24th May 2024
This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.
The award decision-makers were the Trust's :
Covid Lead
Service Director
Head of Finance
Head of Procurement
Deputy Director of Contracts & Commissioning
Chief Finance Officer
No conflicts or potential conflicts of interest were declared.
Key Criteria were:
Key Criterion 1. Quality and innovation 15
As part of our current contract, we meet with CAB managers on a quarterly basis to discuss the contract and how the service is meeting our needs as a service.
A quarterly report is produced to be discussed at these meetings and includes the volume of patients seen by the Social Prescriber, a breakdown of the onward referrals made to other services. Case studies and patient feedback are also included in the quarterly reporting.
The Social Prescriber also attends weekly MDT meetings and has the opportunity to discuss patient care, new community initiatives that might benefit our patients.
Score 5 Weighting 15 Total 60
Key Criterion 2. Value
The current contract with CAB provides us with a Social Prescriber for 2 days a week, this means that every patient coming through the service on clinic days has access to a Social Prescriber.
CAB are also able to provide cover when there is planned annual leave.
Score 4 Weighting 25 Total 100
Key Criterion 3. Integration, collaboration and service sustainability
CAB Wirral work in collaboration with other agencies within the local area.
These agencies would include social services, health services, voluntary sector, benefit advice.
The Social Prescriber is a key player within the MDT, patients are able to be signposted to these agencies following their consultation in clinic and are able to access help and support when they need it.
The Social Prescriber attends our weekly MDT meeting.
Score 4 Weighting 25 Total 120
Key Criterion 4. Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice
Tackling health inequalities is a key element of the Social Prescribing role.
As a Service we have a health inequalities plan to try and address the needs of this population.
For some patients coming through this service they have never encountered a Social Prescriber before because they may never of had to, so this service offers a bridge of support for these patients who due to illness have had to give up work, addressing health inequalities.
Score 5 Weighting 25 Total 125
Key Criterion 5. Social value
There are many community groups and organisations that the Social Prescriber can refer into.
If a person has been signposted to the right organisations it could contribute to better health and economics outcomes reducing the need for health-related interventions.
Score 5 Weighting 10 Total 50
Total 430
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Independent Patient Choice and Procurement Panel
National
Country
United Kingdom