PAH Integrated MSK Contract 2026/31

Description

The Integrated MSK service provides triage, assessment and clinical treatment expertise in relation to specific MSK specialities as an alternative to hospital based treatment (excluding trauma & acute admissions), therefore reducing dependency on hospital based services and ensuring care is delivered closer to home. This innovative service ensures that patients are only referred to hospital when there is a specific need for hospital-based treatment; otherwise most, if not all MSK activity is filtered through the single point of contact at the front end of the Clinical Co-ordination Centre. <br/>As per the PSR direct award process C requirements, the existing provider is satisfying the existing contract, delivering a good service, meeting all KPIs, with no quality concerns and good outcomes with very good feedback from GPs and patients and HWE ICB are satisfied that the incumbent Provider is likely to satisfy the new contract. The proposed contracting arrangements are not changing from the existing contract. Lot 1: The contract was awarded to Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) in 2019 as a lead provider contract for MSK services across West Essex. PAH sub-contracted community MSK services to Essex University Partnership Trust (EPUT) and Stellar Healthcare. Currently, PAH remain as lead provider and since April 2024 have only had a sub-contract in place with EPUT for community MSK services. <br/><br/>The MSK services provided in West Essex as part of the contract are as follows. <br/>PAH provides the following services:<br/>(i)T&O (elective)<br/>(ii)Rheumatology<br/>(iii)MSK Physiotherapy <br/><br/>EPUT provides the following services:<br/>(i)MSK physiotherapy<br/>(ii)Advance Physiotherapy Practitioner<br/>(iii)First Contact Practitioner<br/>(iv)Persistent pain management service<br/>(v)Podiatry service<br/>(vi)MSK Podiatry<br/><br/>West Essex has a full offer of MSK services compared to peers in ENH & SWH. There is not a secondary care pain service for outpatients as this is delivered fully in the community.<br/><br/>The original contract was for five years, from 1st April 2019-31st March 2024. The two-year extension clause in the contract was exercised by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) from 1st April 2024-31st March 2026. <br/>A full-service review was undertaken in 2023 identifying duplication and capacity in the community pathway so from 2024 Stellar Healthcare were decommissioned which realised the QIPP efficiency. <br/><br/>The contract is being awarded under Provider Selection Regime Direct Award C which requires the new contract to mirror the existing contract, i.e. 5 years from 1st April 2026-31st March 2031, plus the option to extend by another 2-years. <br/>A 12 month notice period will remain in place that can be enacted should the health landscape change. Additional information: This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award 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 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by 19th February 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.<br/><br/>Any formal written representations should be sent to: hweicbhv.procurementteam@nhs.net <br/><br/>The business case including the recommendation to award the contract under Provider Selection Regime Process C was approved by the Central East ICB Board on the 6th February 2026 and there were no recorded or potential conflicts of interest of individuals making the decision declared at this meeting.<br/><br/>The decision to award this contract in line with Direct Award Process C.