Health and social work services

Description

In 2015 NHS Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group sought through formal competition a provider to undertake a pilot for Early Supported Discharge for Stroke Patients with Acquired Brain Injury. Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust was the successful bidder. Throughout the pilot stage different elements were tested. It was agreed further exploration was required to determine the final, most efficient and effective service model so the pilot was extended until April 2018 to explore the alignment of rehabilitation for stroke sufferers with other neurological conditions. The contract was again extended, following the issue of an OJEU Contract Award Notice, and is due to end on 31.3.2019. The Commissioner would now like to renew the offer with Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust for 2019/20 on the grounds it is the only capable provider of delivering the short term requirement. The value of the service awarded under this notice is 1 200 000 GBP. In 2015 NHS Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group sought through formal competition a provider to undertake a pilot for Early Supported Discharge for Stroke Patients with Acquired Brain Injury for patients registered with a Somerset GP. The ESD Service enables the accelerated discharge of patients and provides specialist rehabilitation and social support in the community which is comparable to the intensity of that of a specialist rehabilitation unit. Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust was the successful bidder. The service is delivered in the patient’s place of residence at the time of discharge for circa 6–8 weeks and operates 7 days per week. The scope of the services includes the provision of a unified and dedicated specialist interdisciplinary rehabilitation team who provide active therapy as required by the patient; including but not limited to Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychology and Speech and Language therapy. These therapies are supported by, and intimately related to, the wider community services available in Somerset. Throughout the pilot stage different elements were tested. It was agreed further exploration was required to determine the final, most efficient and effective service model so the pilot was extended until April 2018 to explore the alignment of rehabilitation for stroke sufferers with other neurological conditions. An options appraisal identified that to enable a long term solution for ESD for Stroke Patients it would be beneficial to extend the service and seek further data to ensure that the final model meets the needs of Somerset CCG and the patients of Somerset. As a result, the contract was again extended, following the issue of an OJEU Contract Award Notice in 2017, and is now due to end on 31.3.2019. Within the contract there is no option to extend further. 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 will also move towards the creation of an integrated care system and the development of neighbourhood teams. This is a time of considerable uncertainty and therefore the proposal is to reissue a contract with the incumbent provider pending completion of these changes. Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust benefits from strong existing relationships, knowledge and experience. It is the only reasonable option for delivering the service for a limited period of time and for ensuring service users receive continuity of care. The quality of the service is considered to be good and Somerset CCG has no concerns regarding the proposed provider’s ability to deliver the service through to April 2021. This approach would enable continued integration of local services, improved use of public funds and release significant benefits to patients. It is also of note that Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust was the only provider that expressed an interest following the 2015 procurement exercise. The service awarded under this notice is 1 500 000 GBP. 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) “competition is absent for technical reasons”.