Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service – NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB, Powys Teaching Health Board and NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-On-Trent ICB

Tender description

This notice is issued for market engagement purposes only to inform future commissioning intentions and assess market interest in the provision of Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS) across the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Powys, and Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent health economies, serving eligible patients requiring transport to and from NHS healthcare services.<br/><br/>This market engagement exercise is being conducted under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) (Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023). NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board (STW ICB) and NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (SSoT ICB) have not yet determined which PSR process, if any, may apply to any future commissioning arrangement.<br/><br/>STW ICB and SSoT ICB invite Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from suitably qualified and experienced providers that can demonstrate the capability, capacity and experience required to deliver high-quality Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS) across the proposed service area.<br/><br/>Interested providers are invited to register their interest and attend a virtual Market Engagement Event on 26 November 2026. Further details and registration instructions are available via the Atamis Health Family eCommercial System:<br/><br/>https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome<br/><br/>Providers should confirm attendance by 12:00 noon on 23 November 2026. Invitations to the market engagement event will be issued after the closing date. <br/><br/>Please note: This notice does not constitute a call for competition, procurement or contract opportunity. STW ICB and SSoT ICB are under no obligation to commence any subsequent commissioning, provider selection or procurement process or to act on any information received through this market engagement exercise. Lot 1: Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS) have been commissioned historically by STW ICB and SSoT ICB for eligible patients, both adults and children, who have a medical condition which prevents them from using other forms of transport to travel to and from healthcare appointments. The service is not for people who require transport for financial or social reasons, or for those requiring an immediate or emergency response.   The NEPTS Provider will transport only those eligible patients who have been booked to travel by authorised personnel and have been assessed using the agreed eligibility criteria. <br/><br/>The Hospital Transformation Programme is currently underway across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. Due for completion in March 2028, this significant investment in local hospital infrastructure will improve care for all our patients through modern, purpose-built facilities and ensure more people get the care they need, at the right time and in the right place. Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Telford will specialise in planned care, while the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) will specialise in emergency care. <br/><br/>As a result of this transformation, it is expected that patient transport activity will increase, particularly in repatriating patients who have been conveyed by emergency ambulance to hospitals outside of STW. It is therefore important to ensure that the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin remains fit for purpose and capable of meeting future service requirements following implementation of the Hospital Transformation programme. <br/><br/>The service will predominantly be provided to patients who are registered with a Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin ICB GP practice, a Powys Teaching Health Board GP Practice, or a Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent GP Practice.  However, there will be instances when an out of area registered patient will need to use the services delivered under this specification (i.e. out of area discharges from the local acute hospitals).  <br/><br/>The aims of the service are to:   <br/>• Provide a dedicated local booking team/s for the patients of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Powys, and Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.<br/>• Provide a 24/7, 365 days per year transportation service to patients assessed as eligible for the service.<br/><br/>The objectives of the service are to: <br/>• Provide transportation booking facilities, e.g. telephone line, email, online system, etc., which are compliant with the Accessible Information Standard.  <br/>• Provide a dedicated local booking team(s) for patients in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Powys and Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.  <br/>• Conduct patient eligibility assessments and manage demand on the service in line with commissioned activity levels.  <br/>• Determine patients’ mobility and moving and handling requirements to identify the type of vehicle and specialist equipment to be used for transportation/movement.    <br/>• Determine patient’s mental health needs, for example, the support a dementia patient would require.   <br/>• Provide vehicles and transport suitable for our eligible patients according to the patient’s medical condition/mobility.  <br/>• Provide patient transport management and liaison with the NHS providers to ensure integration and system flow.   <br/>• Provide local patient travel advice and signposting for patients assessed as not eligible to access the transportation service. <br/><br/>PLEASE NOTE: STW ICB is currently clustered with NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB (SSoT ICB). The ICBs are considering options for the future commissioning of Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services across the wider cluster area. No decisions have yet been made regarding the scope of any future service arrangement or the Provider Selection Regime process that may apply. Further information will be provided at the market engagement event. <br/><br/>STW ICB and SSoT ICB are seeking Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from providers with relevant experience and capability in delivering Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services to support market understanding and inform future commissioning considerations.<br/><br/>This market engagement exercise will enable the ICBs to better understand the provider market and inform future commissioning considerations.<br/><br/>The ICBs have not yet made any decisions regarding the scope, duration or procurement approach for any future service arrangement. However, the ICBs are currently considering a contract term of up to five (5) years, with the potential option to extend for a further period of up to twenty-four (24) months.<br/><br/>Should a joint commissioning approach be adopted by NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board (STW ICB), Powys Teaching Health Board and NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (SSoT ICB), the estimated total contract value may be in the region of £140 million excluding VAT, including any extension options. This value is indicative only and is provided solely to support market engagement. <br/><br/>For planning purposes only, the anticipated service commencement date for STW ICB is currently expected to be 1 March 2028. Should SSoT ICB participate in any future commissioning arrangement, the commencement date for those services has not yet been determined.<br/><br/>Any Provider wishing to express an interest in delivering NEPTS in STW, Powys or SSoT are invited to register their interest and attend a virtual Market Engagement Event on 26 November 2026. Providers should confirm attendance by 12:00 noon on 23 November 2026. <br/><br/>This market engagement exercise is being undertaken solely to inform future commissioning considerations. The ICBs have not yet determined whether any future service arrangements will be subject to a Direct Award Process, Most Suitable Provider Process or Competitive Process under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. Additional information: This service falls within the scope of CQC-regulated activities.