Scope
Description
The reason for commissioning this service
Surrey County Council has been awarded an annual Better Care Fund (CBF) grant of £155,000 to commissioning a targeted alcohol screening, identification and brief advice (IBA) and extended brief intervention (EBI) service based in primary care settings. This initiative responds to identified gaps in early alcohol harm prevention and aims to reduce alcohol-related hospital admissions by increasing proactive identification and brief support for residents engaged in risky and harmful drinking.
The services included support the ambitions in Surrey's Health and Wellbeing Strategy, priority one, supporting people to reach their potential by addressing the wider determinants of health. Ensuring people have a healthy weight and are active and that substance misuse is low, including smoking.
The service objectives
The service will enable trained ACWs to conduct opportunistic and proactive alcohol screening in participating GP practices. Using the AUDIT-C and full AUDIT tools, the ACWs will identify individuals drinking at increasing or higher-risk levels. These individuals will then receive brief advice or, where appropriate, a structured extended brief intervention. For those whose needs exceed the scope of brief intervention, the service will facilitate seamless referral into structured treatment services such as i-access or community alcohol programmes. The service will also work collaboratively with GPs, nurses, social prescribers, and local voluntary organisations to strengthen early intervention pathways and increase service visibility.
The service objectives are:
• Deliver screening (AUDIT-C and full AUDIT) to identify risky drinkers.
• Provide brief and extended interventions using evidence-based tools.
• Refer patients needing further support to local alcohol treatment services.
• Build capacity in primary care through integration and partnership.
Anticipated Annual Value £155,000
Total Value inc. Extensions £465,000
Extension options: 1+1
Total value (estimated)
- £465,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 21 July 2025 to 20 June 2026
- Possible extension to 19 June 2028
- 2 years, 10 months, 30 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85100000 - Health services
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
- UKG - West Midlands (England)
- UKH - East of England
- UKI - London
- UKJ - South East (England)
- UKK - South West (England)
Engagement
Engagement deadline
3 July 2025
Engagement process description
Provider Selection Regime Most Suitable Provider
Expression of Interest
RFX1000743
The provision of Alcohol Screening, Brief Advice and Extended Interventions in Primary Care Settings
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intended approach 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 Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award.'
Details of the award decision-makers.
Public Health Lead
Senior Public Health Lead
Public Health Principal
Finance Lead
The intention is to award a contract using the most suitable provider process.
Project Description
The project includes recruiting two Alcohol Community Workers (ACWs) for a year period to work with GP practices in high-risk areas of Guildford and Waverley. These ACWs will deliver alcohol screenings, Brief Advice and Extended Interventions, and will link patients to commissioned treatment services for adults and young people when needed.
Expected Outcomes:
Reduction in Alcohol-related hospital admissions: Proactive engagement with patients at the primary care level aims to reduce admissions by identifying and addressing alcohol misuse early.
Increase Screening and Brief Interventions: Increase the completion of Alcohol screenings by 20% in Guildford and Waverley.
Provide 1-to-1 Support: Deliver at least 500 individual support sessions across the identified areas.
Strengthened Primary Care and Community links: This model foster stronger links between primary care and community services, improving continuity of care for patients and supporting GPs with preventative resources
Improved Health Equity: Targeting underserved, high risk communities ensures equitable access to preventive care and address health inequalities associated with alcohol misuse
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
Surrey County Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PWRH-8974-TNBV
Woodhatch Place, 11 Cockshot Hill
Reigate
RH2 8EF
United Kingdom
Region: UKJ26 - East Surrey
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government