Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS NORTH EAST AND NORTH CUMBRIA INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
PEMBERTON HOUSE COLIMA AVENUE SUNDERLAND ENTERPRISE PARK
Sunderland
SR53XB
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKC23 - Sunderland
NHS Organisation Data Service
QHM
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://northeastnorthcumbria.nhs.uk/
one.3) Communication
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
NENC ICB Acute Respiratory Infection Hubs Service
Reference number
NENC044
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85140000 - Miscellaneous health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board is issuing this Prior Information Notice (PIN) as a market engagement exercise Request for Information (RFI) to gather information on the market landscape in regards to Acute Respiratory Infection Hubs (ARI Hubs) services for North East and North Cumbria.
This is a market landscape exercise only and is not a guarantee of a future provider selection process and/or contract.
The RFI on-line questionnaire should be submitted by no later than 11:59:59 pm on Monday, 24 November 2025.
The NENC044 RFI will be conducted via the Atamis portal at: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome.
It is free to register on the portal and it can be accessed at any time of day providing you have a working internet connection.
Should you have any queries, or problems registering on the portal, please contact the Atamis helpdesk via:
Support-health@Atamis.co.uk or phone number 0800 0988201
The helpdesk is open Monday - Friday 08.00 am - 06.00 pm
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85140000 - Miscellaneous health services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD1 - Cumbria
Main site or place of performance
North East and North Cumbria
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This Request for Information (RFI) process is being undertaken to engage with the market to gather information on the market landscape in regards to ARI Hub services for North East and North Cumbria. This is a market landscape exercise only and is not a guarantee of a future provider selection process and/or contract.
The RFI on-line questionnaire should be submitted by no later than 11:59:59 pm on Monday, 24 November 2025.
The objective of the RFI is to:
• Understand Market Capability and Capacity
• Understand potential service delivery models
• Understand market appetite in regards to contract length
• Understand potential financial risks
• Understand potential mobilisation requirements and risks
• Understand potential concerns re: mandatory data sharing
• Understand potential premise arrangements and risks
• Understand any barriers and whole service risk
NHSE has asked systems to build on existing infrastructure to move on establishing ARI hubs to manage demand over winter, providing additional capacity to support primary and secondary care pressures and matching the needs of its population and to work towards a smoother interface between primary, community and secondary care. ARI hubs may help to reduce the risk of infection spread through reducing the footfall in A&E and primary care.
SERVICE AIMS
Support patients with urgent clinical needs by enhancing and providing additional same day access to assessment and specialist advice as needed.
Seek to reduce ambulance callouts, A&E attendances and hospital admissions for patients who could be appropriately managed in the community.
Reduce the burden of acute respiratory illness on primary care and provide more time for practice teams to support patients where continuity of care is most important.
Reduce nosocomial transmission by separating the high expected flow of infectious patients through hubs rather than usual GP waiting rooms and clinics.
Seek to provide an accessible and equitable service to support same day access (with consideration given to the location of these services). This approach would support a positive impact on the health outcomes of the Core20PLUS population for tackling health inequalities and provision of inclusive services.
two.2.14) Additional information
For 2025/26 services, NENC ICB has split the ARI Hub allocated funding by a Fair Shares arrangement as outlined in the RFI supporting documents as provided in the Atamis e-tendering portal.
It is expected that funding for 2026/27 and 2027/28 will remain £1.5m per annum split once again through Fair Shares arrangements.
A critical service model principal is the mandatory completion of operational and clinical outcome data reporting which will offer NENC ICB and the regional population multiple benefits including the ability to demonstrate positive impact on patients.
This is mandated information and data requirements will be enforced in any future contracting arrangements and for all future providers.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
1 January 2026
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
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
The RFI on-line questionnaire should be submitted by no later than 11:59:59 pm on Monday, 24 November 2025.
The NENC044 RFI will be conducted via the Atamis portal at: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome.
It is free to register on the portal and it can be accessed at any time of day providing you have a working internet connection.
Should you have any queries, or problems registering on the portal, please contact the Atamis helpdesk via:
Support-health@Atamis.co.uk or phone number 0800 0988201
The helpdesk is open Monday - Friday 08.00 am - 06.00 pm