Health and social work services

Description

In line with national trends, Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust (NGH) has experienced unprecedented levels of emergency patients attending the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) and in turn this has put pressure on bed capacity within the Trust. In an attempt to maintain patient safety and release bed capacity NGH has reviewed a number of options which include adding additional beds through a capital works program. The procurement process has now started to select a construction partner, however, it is unlikely that the additional beds will be available until sometime towards the end of next year. As an interim measure NGH has analysed the provision of bed capacity within the immediate locality of NGH and have selected AGE Nursing Homes Ltd to provide nursing care services to the Trust's patients who are fit for discharge and awaiting on going care. The Trust has considered the healthcare provider market, and carried out as much market analysis as feasible in the short decision-making period. In light of this analysis, the Trust has decided that selecting AGE Nursing Homes Ltd would be in the best interests of its patients, primarily because: The care homes are located on a site adjacent to the main NGH site, which means that patients will not need to travel far; Patients will remain under the care of the consultants at NGH while staying at AGE Nursing Homes Ltd and the proximity to their carers is essential to their continuing care; The Care Home is immediately available to take patients, meaning that the patients will not need to stay any longer in the existing wards at NGH; The need for additional capacity is immediate and the Trust feels that providing a safe and effective service to patients is paramount rather than awaiting the outcome of a formal process. In deciding to contract with AGE Nursing Homes Ltd, the Trust has had regard to relevant best practice guidance, including the Principles and Rules for Co-operation and Competition (PRCC). Although many of the principles set out in the PRCC are not strictly applicable to the Trust as a provider, the Trust is mindful of the fact that it will be commissioning services from AGE Nursing Homes Ltd. The PRCC require that commissioners of NHS funded services commission those services from the providers that are best placed to deliver the needs of their patients and populations (Principle 1). Based on the evidence available to it, the Trust considers that AGE Nursing Homes Ltd is best placed to deliver the nursing services and is unaware of any other viable alternative nursing care home providers who would be able to deliver the services at such close proximity to NGH, achieve the same benefits to patients and have capacity to immediately offer the services for the volume of patients needing care. The Trust considers that the commercial offer by AGE Nursing Homes Ltd is very favourable (with respect to the potential benefits to its patients and financial outlay for the Trust) and it is unlikely that this same offer would not be available if the Trust elects to proceed with a competitive tender process as the beds that are currently available would be opened to the commercial market. Further, the Trust needs to act quickly to realise the benefits of this offer in the 2016/17 financial year as it awaits approval for its business case for additional beds on-site from its Regulators. The Trust has decided that, all relevant factors considered, it would be unlikely to secure better value for money for these services by investing in a competitive contract award process. The contract with AGE Nursing Homes Ltd will commence in July and whilst the Trust considers that taking advantage of AGE Nursing Homes Ltd's deal is the best interests of its patients and offers best value for money for NGH, the Trust is conscious of the fact that it may wish to terminate at any point should changes in the market occur. Accordingly, both the Trust and AGE Nursing Homes Ltd can terminate the agreement at will for any reason by issuing 6 months' notice. Dependent on seasonal variations demand will not exceed 38 beds in any 1 week. The cost per bed has been agreed at 830 GBP per bed per week for the duration of the contract.