Occupational Health Service

Description

The University of East Anglia (UEA) is an internationally renowned university based in a campus that provides top quality academic, social and cultural facilities to over 17,000 students and 2,500 staff. The UEA has been ranked in the top 20 in the UK for its research quality, in the Complete University Guide's UK top 30 and has achieved the green flag award for 9 years running. Located in 370 acres of rolling parkland but just two miles from the centre of the cathedral city of Norwich, the University is adjacent to the Norwich Research Park which is home to over 1,000 scientists working in several world ranked institutions. A total of over 17,000 students are currently studying at the University, including non-UK students from more than 100 countries worldwide. Founded in 1963 and located on a single campus (the "Campus") on the western fringe of Norwich, the University is respected for both its research and its teaching, attracting students from across the world. The existing contract ends on 31st July 2026 and therefore the UEA requires a new contract to commence from 1st August 2026. UEA intends to award a new contract for the provision of Occupational Health Services (OHS) to employees and students to achieve the following objectives: In relation to Staff: Support HR proactively to manage issues relating to absence and health Assess fitness to work regarding ill-health capability dismissal or ill health retirement Assess employees on long-term sick leave, advising on the likely timescale of the absence and promoting an effective and timely return to work Support UEA to fulfil duties under the Equality Act 2010 (including disability, pregnancy and age discrimination) Advise on temporary or permanent changes to the work or workplace (reasonable adjustments) to enable someone with a physical or mental health condition or disability to work effectively and safely Undertake and interpret pre-employment health assessments if requested to do so Carry out specific assessments to determine fitness for work in safety critical environments, such as clinical healthcare Advise on ergonomic issues and workplace design Introduce programmes to support the wider health and wellbeing of the workforce Support compliance with statutory requirements including health and safety regulations In Relation to Students: Support UEA proactively to manage issues relating to student absence and health Assess fitness to study in support of UEA formal engagement regulations Support UEA to fulfil duties under the Equality Act 2010 (including disability, pregnancy and age discrimination) Undertake and interpret pre-registration checks for students on specified professional courses Advise on ergonomic issues in relation to learning spaces and reasonable adjustment issues Advise on specific needs of students with diagnosed conditions giving rise to a need for recommended reasonable adjustments Support compliance with statutory requirements including health and safety regulations UEA is considering structuring the procurement of OHS as below: Lot 1 - Occupational Health Services - Staff Lot 2 - Occupational Health Services - Students UEA intends to use a competitive flexible procedure with a two stage evaluation process. This is currently intended to include stage one with conditions of participation and qualitative evaluation questions, stage two to include presentations and/or further questions around the submitted bids. This approach is not definite and may change before UEA issues any tender documents. UEA intends to award a contract for a 3 year initial term with a 2 year extension at the UEA's discretion. Contract annual spend is expected to be £445k across both requirements, a split of approximately £400k for students and £45k for staff. Indicative procurement timetable: 08/12/2025 , Pre Market Engagement notice published 09/01/2026 , Pre Market Engagement supplier deadline 02/03/2026 , Tender goes live 25/05/2026 , Evaluations complete 30/06/2026 , Contract signed 01/08/2026 , New services commence UEA is under no obligation to issue a competitive activity following this market engagement.