Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB)
Sackville House, Brooks Close
Lewes
BN7 2FZ
Contact
Stuart Meredith
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
NHS Organisation Data Service
QNX
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.sussex.ics.nhs.uk/
one.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at
https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
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
Social Prescribing Services - RFI
Reference number
C355215
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85100000 - Health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
NHS Sussex is seeking information regarding the provision of an innovative and transformative community-based social prescribing services across Sussex to support the delivery of Social Prescribing services as part of Neighbourhood health in Sussex.
The service will provide support to providers, ensure that the population are empowered to proactively take ownership of their health, and well-being and, reduce unplanned hospital admissions. It will also signpost and connect people to the various community assets within the Neighbourhood. The service will be integrated as part of a multidisciplinary Team working with primary care, community health, social care, mental health, VCSE, local authorities and other key partners to respond to population needs, proactively manage and anticipate patient's needs, creating true integrated working with shared accountability with partners for improving health outcomes, responding to health inequalities and enabling system efficiencies.
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £6,475,000
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85100000 - Health services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
NHS Sussex is seeking information regarding the provision of an innovative and transformative community-based social prescribing services across Sussex to support the delivery of Social Prescribing services as part of Neighbourhood health in Sussex.
The service will provide support to providers, ensure that the population are empowered to proactively take ownership of their health, and well-being and, reduce unplanned hospital admissions. It will also signpost and connect people to the various community assets within the Neighbourhood. The service will be integrated as part of a multidisciplinary Team working with primary care, community health, social care, mental health, VCSE, local authorities and other key partners to respond to population needs, proactively manage and anticipate patient's needs, creating true integrated working with shared accountability with partners for improving health outcomes, responding to health inequalities and enabling system efficiencies.
An RFI questionnaire is available at: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome
The purpose of the RFI Questionnaire is to gauge market interest, feedback via the RFI response form and provide the ICB with valuable information to help update and improve the current service specification.
We request you complete your response and return it via our E-Tendering Portal no later than 12.00pm (midday) Monday 19th May 2025.
In addition to this RFI, NHS Sussex will be conducting a Provider Engagement event on Wednesday 14th May 2025 from 10:30am.
Within that event we will talk through our commissioning intentions and there will be an opportunity for providers to ask questions of the commissioners. The event will take place via MS Teams. If you wish to attend, please send a portal message, and include the names, roles and contact details of persons in your organisation who you would like to be invited.
We welcome collaborations between NHS and VCSE organisations with Social Prescribing Services aimed at providing holistic support within local communities, focusing on addressing social, practical, emotional, economic and prevention activities to improve health outcomes and tackle inequalities, particularly for vulnerable groups.
Partners with a strong track record in delivering innovative, impactful and comprehensive social prescribing services and the capacity to meet the diverse needs of vulnerable populations will find this opportunity particularly beneficial.
Successful bidders will be expected to integrate with neighbourhood teams, building long-term partnerships across local authorities, primary, community and mental health care, aiding economic stability and delivery of local services.
It is anticipated that the new service will be procured via a standard NHS contract with a contract duration of initially 5 years plus the option to extend by a further 2 years, commencing 1st April 2026. This contract length should enable the successful bidder(s) to deliver innovation, transformation and value for money over that period.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
1 January 2026