Health and social work services

Description

The current Transporting Somerset service has been provided through Somerset County Council (SCC) since 2009 and any new provider would be expected to replicate the scope of services that are already in place. Transporting Somerset is commissioned by Somerset CCG and run by Somerset County Council. It provides a Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS) using a range of volunteer drivers and taxis as a cost effective alternative to ambulances. The service is judged by service users to be good. The service is complex in that it supports both the health and social care sectors and thereby delivers efficiencies through joined up working. It also operates on a zero profit, cost recovery basis, using a fleet of volunteer drivers and for other journeys use of taxis that are deployed through a combination of a dynamic purchasing system and regular market price testing. The service delivers value for money. The Commissioner needs to renew the offer with Somerset County Council o A new provider would be expected to provide an NHS funded transport to those Service Users meeting the Medical Eligibility Criteria as set down by the Department of Health, including vulnerable people by reason of mental health or learning disability and children (and their Escorts) accessing healthcare provision and at the discretion of the NHS commissioner Service Users who, as a result of their condition, are expected to attend secondary care type services on a “frequent’ basis”. Service Users who qualify as “medical need” are unable to make alternative, safe arrangements for travel. Some Service Users are treated some distance away from their homes (including large numbers out of county) and it is important that they are picked up quickly and transported efficiently to their destination. Currently the service sits alongside SCC’s own social need transport support. SCC staff provide a day time booking service for patients who are registered with a Somerset GP. With the exception of short notice bookings, which may be handled by Trust booking staff, the majority of bookings will originate through the Patient Transport Advice Centre (PTAC). Service Users, or their carers, are expected to contact the PTAC direct to make the necessary transport arrangements. Transport is provided 24/7 and 7-days of week. SCC holds responsibility for managing and coordinating the volunteer drivers, for providing appropriate training and ensuring governance arrangements are robust and maintained and that equitable access for all patients across the County is a key priority. In addition, it is expected to regularly test the market and procure the services of independent sector transport providers (taxi services), ensuring best value for the public purse. This contract covers the whole of Somerset and with the exception of oncology car transport, provides all car services for all NEPTS eligible patients. The car services covered under the service specification form part of an overall package of NEPTS. They are for patients who are able to mobilise into a car themselves (with limited support), including some patients who use wheelchairs. Services will look very different in the near future as a result of changes brought about through Somerset’s Fit for My Future health and care strategic review. Somerset is expecting to see more community transport providers emerge to support local journeys, which will have an impact on activity levels for Transporting Somerset. Somerset will also move towards the creation of an integrated care system and the development of neighbourhood teams. The service is complex in that it supports both the health and social care sectors and thereby delivers efficiencies through joined up working. It also operates on a zero profit, cost recovery basis, using a fleet of volunteer drivers and for other journeys use of taxis that are deployed through a combination of a dynamic purchasing system and regular market price testing. The service delivers value for money. The Commissioner would now like to renew the offer with Somerset County Council on the grounds it is the only capable provider of delivering at scale, 24/7 and within the limited budget available. The added market uncertainty created through strategic change also makes it difficult to judge how journey volumes and destinations will change over the short to medium term. This is the reason why the proposed contract is relatively short in length – 2 years. The value of the service awarded under this notice is indicative only at 1 500 000 GBP on an annual basis. This approach would ensure continuity of service, good and efficient use of public funds and release significant benefits to patients. The service awarded under this notice is let at an indicative value of 3 000 000 GBP over 2 years. As a result of all of the material factors noted above, the Negotiated procedure without prior publication has been followed and justified under regulation 32(2)(b)(ii