NHS England South East - Provision of Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) Services in Kent, Surrey and Sussex

Description

Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board is commissioning Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) services in Kent, Surrey and Sussex. NHS England South East Specialised Commissioning Team, have undertaken the procurement exercise on behalf of the ICB, with the support of South Central and West Commissioning Support Unit. The service will provide specialised maternity care in specialised PAS centres delivered as part of a regional network arrangement inclusive of local maternity services. The key aims of the service are to accurately diagnose Abnormally Invasive Placenta (AIP) and determine the clinical risk it poses, and to maximise safety for the mother by providing high quality specialist multidisciplinary care for the delivery of women at high risk of AIP. The Commissioner intends to contract for the Services using the latest version of the NHS Standard Contract. The total contract lifecycle value is £3,496,500 (inclusive of extension options), which will commence on 1st April 2026 with an initial duration of 5 years, and an option to extend for a further 2 years. This notice is placed to set out NHS England South East's (the Commissioner's) intention to award a contract under the Most Suitable Provider Process of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). A notice (ref. 2025/S 000-001546) was published for 14 days informing the market of the intention to follow the Most Suitable Provider Process. The Commissioner sought a provider/s who were suitable and capable to continue the delivery of this work. Lot 1: Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board is commissioning Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) services in Kent, Surrey and Sussex. NHS England South East Specialised Commissioning Team, have undertaken the procurement exercise on behalf of the ICB, with the support of South Central and West Commissioning Support Unit. At present, there are currently no formally commissioned PAS centres in the South East, and therefore no formal pathway for patients with PAS. By formally commissioning the provision, NHSE South East will be able to build on the existing skills in the workforce, and make use of established communication, coordination and support networks as well as developing these further as the service is embedded. NHSE South East aims to ensure patients receive care within a safe and high-quality service whilst being as close to home as appropriate. The service will have formal referral pathways, a screening programme and multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings. Patients will have access to joined up maternity care with an individualised delivery plan and clear guidelines/protocols for all clinicians to follow in the unlikely event of a non-elective delivery. The service will establish consistent collection of data in relation to PAS and robust outcome assessments through mortality and morbidity (M&M) meetings. The key aims of the service are to accurately diagnose Abnormally Invasive Placenta (AIP) and determine the clinical risk it poses, and to maximise safety for the mother by providing high quality specialist multidisciplinary care for the delivery of women at high risk of AIP. This involves: • Preventing avoidable deaths in a population at very high risk of mortality • Minimising ITU admission and length of stay in ITU • Reducing blood product administration • Reducing the risk of severe maternal morbidity such as cardiac arrest, fistula formation and lower urinary tract trauma • Reducing risk of unnecessary surgical procedures including vertical abdominal incision and hysterectomy • Reducing the risk of iatrogenic injury to women from false positive diagnoses • To improve safety for the baby by minimising iatrogenic premature delivery • To ensure that the quality of the care provided is nationally monitored and subject to a process of continued improvement (though a national dashboard). • To participate in national data collection to improve understanding It is acknowledged that there may be a requirement to take patients from outside of the Kent, Surrey, Sussex area for treatment. As the service establishes itself the area boundary may be reviewed with the relevant provider/s of the service. A notice (ref: 2025/S 000-001546) was published for 20 days (more than the mandatory 14-day response window), informing the market of the intention to follow the Most Suitable Provider Process. The Commissioner sought a provider/s who were suitable and capable to deliver this work. To express an interest, providers were required to complete and submit a short Most Suitable Provider Questionnaire through the Atamis portal. Only 1 expression of interest was received, from Medway NHS Foundation Trust. A Request for Information (RfI) was sent to them seeking the return of further information to support the Commissioners assessment. After conducting an assessment, taking into account the key criteria and applying the basic selection criteria, NHS England South East is content that Medway NHS FT will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard. The Commissioner intends to contract for the Services using the latest version of the NHS Standard Contract. The total contract lifecycle value is £3,496,500 (inclusive of extension options), which will commence on 1st April 2026 with an initial duration of 5 years, and an option to extend for a further 2 years. This notice is placed to set out NHS England South East's (the Commissioner's) intention to award a contract under the Most Suitable Provider Process of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). Whilst this service has not previously been formally commissioned, there is existing provision of PAS services, delivered by Medway NHS Trust. Therefore, contract award is to an existing provider. A notice (ref. 2025/S 000-001546) was published for 14 days informing the market of the intention to follow the Most Suitable Provider Process. The Commissioner sought a provider/s who were suitable and capable to continue the delivery of this work. This procurement has been carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.