Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme (QPIP) in Somerset - Market Engagement

Description

Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) is preparing a bid to the national Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme (OPIP) Competition overview - Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme (OPIP): Strand 3 - Innovation Funding Service - a new £85 million competitive funding programme jointly delivered by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, administered by Innovate UK. The OPIP programme aims to transform how the NHS and its partners deliver weight management and obesity prevention by developing integrated, community-based pathways that are innovative, equitable, and scalable across local systems. To inform their bid, the ICB is launching a market engagement opportunity to explore innovative ideas, technologies and service models that could support their competitive response. Providers and partners interested in engaging with Somerset ICB have 2 options available to them, express an interest within the e-procurement system and complete the registration questionnaire, then either: • request a 1:1 session with commissioners or, • submit a written response only. Please note, the optional 30 minute session will be on Thursday 30th October or Friday 31st October. These requests will be prioritised to organisations who can most directly support achieving our ambition. Slots will be confirmed on Tuesday 28th October. This exercise is being administered by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner. Lot 1: Somerset Integrated Care Board (ICB) is preparing a bid to the national Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme (OPIP) Competition overview - Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme (OPIP): Strand 3 - Innovation Funding Service - a new £85 million competitive funding programme jointly delivered by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, administered by Innovate UK. The OPIP programme aims to transform how the NHS and its partners deliver weight management and obesity prevention by developing integrated, community-based pathways that are innovative, equitable, and scalable across local systems. Its objectives are to: • Develop new models of care that integrate pharmacological, digital, and behavioural approaches. • Build capacity within communities to support sustained healthy lifestyles and self-management. • Embed a whole-system, data-driven approach to tackling obesity as a major driver of long-term conditions. • Reduce health inequalities by improving access for underserved populations, including people with learning disabilities, those living in rural areas, and families experiencing deprivation. • Enable real-world evaluation and learning that can inform national policy and future service commissioning. Somerset ICB's proposal will build on local strengths in prevention, population health, and digital innovation. The Somerset model seeks to create: • A universal digital front-end for self-referral, triage, and access to lifestyle support. • Community-based Tier 1 and Tier 2 interventions, delivered with VCSE and local activity partners. • Targeted offers for families, people with learning disabilities, and those at higher risk of poor health outcomes. • A robust evaluation framework in partnership with higher education and research institutions. If successful, the Somerset OPIP programme would deliver a sustainable, whole-system approach to healthy weight and lifestyle support between 2026 and 2029. Subject to the bid for funding being successful, Somerset ICB anticipates procuring suitably qualified provider(s) to deliver or support: (1) Self-Referral and Triage Tool • A digital front-end enabling residents to self-refer or be referred by clinicians. • Functionality to triage users to the appropriate tier of support (universal, Tier 2, or specialist). • Integration with EMIS, NHS Login, and other relevant systems. • Inclusive and accessible design for people with learning disabilities, communication needs, or limited digital access. (2) Healthy Lifestyle and Weight Management Platform • Evidence-based platform to support behaviour change, motivation, and weight management. • Capable of delivering universal healthy lifestyle content (Tier 1) and structured weight management programmes (Tier 2). • Includes goal setting, habit tracking, motivational messaging, and progress monitoring. • Enables collection and analysis of anonymised outcome data. (3) Targeted Offers for Families and Inclusion Groups • Family-centred healthy lifestyle interventions. • Adapted, accessible programmes for people with learning disabilities and/or neurodivergent conditions, developed with reasonable adjustments. • Opportunities to link digital tools with community-based activity offers (e.g. through the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership). Who We Want to Hear From Somerset ICB welcomes engagement from organisations with relevant expertise, including but not limited to: • Digital health and behaviour change platform providers with NHS experience. • Specialist suppliers of triage, self-referral, and care navigation tools, especially those with EMIS interoperability. • VCSE and community organisations with experience delivering lifestyle, physical activity, or peer support programmes. • Providers specialising in inclusive and accessible service design (e.g. for people with learning disabilities, neurodivergence, or low digital literacy). • Academic or research partners able to contribute evaluation or behavioural science expertise. • Collaborative consortia combining digital, clinical, and community delivery capability. We particularly welcome engagement from organisations able to demonstrate innovation in: • Integrated digital pathways across prevention and treatment. • Inclusive approaches that reduce health inequalities. • Data-driven insight and continuous improvement. Next Steps Providers and partners interested in engaging with Somerset ICB are invited to: • Express an interest within the e-procurement system. • Organisations have 2 options: o Complete the registration questionnaire (available via the portal) and submit no later than 4pm on Monday, 27th October 2025 via the Microsoft Forms link within the e-procurement system to be considered for an optional 1:1 session (if requested by checking the appropriate box). • OR o Complete registration questionnaires (available via the portal) and submit no later than 4pm on Wednesday, 29th October 2025 via the Microsoft Forms link within the e-procurement system to provide a written summary only. Please note, the optional 30 minute session will be on Thursday 30th October or Friday 31st October. These requests will be prioritised to organisations who can most directly support achieving our ambition. Slots will be confirmed on Tuesday 28th October. All future procurement activity will be advertised through appropriate public procurement channels and subject to ICB governance.