Mandatory Dental Services to Chard and Crewkerne - NHS Somerset ICB

This notice is placed as a Prior Information Notice (PIN) in relation to a pre-procurement market questionnaire.

NHS Somerset ICB (the Commissioner) invites expressions of interest (EOI) from suitably qualified and experienced Providers, to provide Mandatory Dental Services within the Chard and Crewkerne area.

The indicative date for the contract to commence is 1st April 2025. The annual contract value is expected to be in the region of £1.2 million, although this is to be confirmed.

The aims for Mandatory Dental Service provision are to: • contribute to improving oral and general health; • reduce inequalities in health and access to dental care by providing extra support to groups of vulnerable adults and children. This includes, but is not limited to, children under 5 years old, residents of care homes, patients weighing up to 300kg (47 stones) and other vulnerable groups; • provide access to NHS dental services to ensure equity and consistency of provision; • provide bookable appointments outside of core hours; • deliver appropriate, efficient and cost-effective services within the service provision framework of the NHS (General Dental Services/Personal Dental Services) Regulations 2005 and any subsequent revisions; • provide high quality dental services; • provide access within contracted hours to unassociated patients identified as having an urgent dental need via NHS 111, NHS Dental Helpline, out of hours services and self-referral; • refer patients to other NHS services as appropriate in line with the relevant local protocols and guidance; • establish a positive working relationship between the Commissioner and Provider to facilitate and maximise high quality service delivery; • develop services in line with the evolving strategic approach to primary care dental provision and align with the priorities of the NHS Long Term Plan - www.longtermplan.nhs.uk; • promote overall health in line with Making Every Contact Count.

Providers who wish to express their interest and complete the questionnaire can follow the below link which will take you through to the Microsoft Form;

https://forms.office.com/e/BJ0FnK1zvi

Please complete and submit your questionnaire by Wednesday 11th September.

This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.

Additional information: This notice is an information gathering exercise rather than a call for competition in its own right, and therefore publication or response does not commit the Authority or respondents to a future procurement, nor provide any process exemptions or preferential treatment to any parties expressing an interest. The Authority will not be liable for costs incurred by any interested party in participating in this exercise.

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) prior information notice. The contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply.