Contract for the Provision of Outpatient Pharmacy Dispensing Services and Associated Pharmacy Healthcare Services

Description

Contract for the Provision of Outpatient Pharmacy Dispensing Services and Associated Pharmacy Healthcare Services Lot 1: Royal United Hospital (Bath) NHS Foundation Trust , (referred to in this Notice as RUH or "The Authority") intends to award a contract to Sulis Hospital for the Provision of Outpatient Pharmacy Dispensing Services and Associated Pharmacy Healthcare Services.<br/><br/>This Notice signifies an intention to award a contract under the Provider Selection Regime 2023 (PSR) using the Most Suitable Provider Process.<br/><br/>The approximate value of this contract is £8,000,000 and the contract term is a total of six years. The contract will be awarded as a 2+2+2.<br/><br/>This Intention to Award Notice describes the process undertaken to assess potential providers within the market and determine the Most Suitable Provider under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.<br/><br/>The Authority is intending to award a new Provider for an existing service. <br/><br/>The current contract with the incumbent Provider will remain in force, terminating on 10th January 2027. The new service will commence on the Service Commencement Date 11th January 2027 and terminate on 10th January 2033.<br/><br/>No competitive procurement was undertaken. The Authority assessed potential provider options against the published criteria and concluded Sulis Hospital as the Most Suitable Provider.<br/><br/>In order to assess a range of Providers and identify "The Most Suitable Provider" under the PSR regime, RUH considered the key criteria required under Regulation 11 of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 and concluded that Sulis Hospital, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Authority, provides the optimum combination of quality, patient benefit, integration with existing clinical pathways, service sustainability and value. <br/><br/>Whilst ownership was considered as part of the assessment of integration and strategic alignment, the decision was based on the Authority's assessment against all Regulation 11 key criteria.<br/><br/>The evaluation process and final decision has been supported by significant background research and experience within this market. This includes the undertaking of a formal market engagement exercise in June 2025, background research, information provided by subject matter experts, advice from external experts including legal counsel and the Authority's own significant experience in procuring outsourced Outpatient Pharmacy Dispensing Services. This process has been formally documented. <br/><br/>The Authority identified and assessed its future service requirements, associated risks and provider suitability and has applied weighted criteria to measure Provider suitability. <br/>The weightings were used to support a structured assessment of provider suitability and do not constitute a competitive tender evaluation.<br/><br/>Summary of Weightings and Award Rationale <br/><br/>Criterion <br/>Quality and Innovation 35%<br/>Value 15%<br/>Integration and Collaboration 30%<br/>Inequalities and Access 10%<br/>Social Value 10%<br/><br/>"Quality and Innovation" and "Integration and Collaboration" were weighted and assessed as of most importance to RUH in the future delivery of its service. <br/><br/>Quality and Innovation<br/><br/>Sulis Hospital, a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of RUH, demonstrates the highest ability to deliver a safe, high-quality dispensing service aligned with Trust clinical standards, including:<br/>- Established governance arrangements integrated with the Trust<br/>- Direct access to patient records and electronic prescribing systems<br/>- Close clinical oversight and collaboration with prescribers<br/><br/>Integration, collaboration and service sustainability<br/>The Outpatient Pharmacy Service is intrinsically linked to the Authority's clinical pathways and operational flow. <br/>Sulis Hospital:<br/>- Operates as part of the Authority's system, ensuring seamless integration<br/>- Supports real-time collaboration with clinical teams<br/>- Aligns with wider ICS and place-based care models<br/>- The Sulis business plan is the most aligned and integrated to the Authority's requirements<br/><br/>The WOS structure enables:<br/>- Shared objectives and governance<br/>- Flexibility to respond to service changes or pathway redesign quickly<br/>- Long-term sustainability through organisational alignment<br/><br/>Value<br/>Sulis Hospital demonstrated the most economically advantageous solution when taking account of investment requirements, enhanced operational resilience, future contract affordability and budget management and whole-life value for money. <br/><br/>Inequalities and Access<br/>- Enhancing patient experience, particularly for vulnerable or complex patients<br/>Closer integration with clinical services ensures:<br/>- Reduced delays in treatment initiation<br/>- Better support for patients with complex needs<br/><br/>Conclusion:<br/>Sulis Hospital will contribute positively to access and patient experience, though this criteria is not the primary differentiator or key driver within this award.<br/><br/>Social Value<br/>Sulis Hospital will deliver social value through:<br/>- Local employment and workforce development<br/>- Opportunities for training and education more closely aligned with the Trust<br/>- Contribution to the local health economy<br/>Additionally, Sulis Hospital is aligned with the Authority's sustainability goals (e.g. reduced patient travel).<br/>While external providers also deliver social value, the WOS ensures these benefits are retained within the NHS system.<br/>Conclusion:<br/>Sulis Hospital delivers relevant social value, supporting local and system-wide objectives but this is not a key driver in this award process.<br/><br/>In summary, The Authority concluded that no alternative provider could reasonably be expected to deliver an equivalent level of integration, strategic alignment, increased operational resilience and patient benefit.<br/><br/>The final decision was approved in accordance with the Authority's Scheme of Delegation and Standing Financial Instructions.