Environmental Control (EC) Services for Patients with Complex Disability (Lot 1: Norfolk & Suffolk; Lot 2: Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Bedfordshire

NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit (AGCSU), on behalf of NHS England - East of England Specialised Commissioning (referred to as the Commissioner), is undertaking a market engagement exercise to understand the current and future capacity and capability of the incumbent and potential providers within this specialised area. Please note that this is not a call for competition although the commissioner would encourage all potential providers to respond to this market engagement exercise. The outcome of this market engagement will help inform commissioners of the current and future capacity and capability of the market and will be considered to inform the commissioning approach.

Interested parties are encouraged to register their interest only if they are able to deliver the full list of the requirements

Participation to this market engagement will close at 12pm (noon), Friday 8th December 2023.

Additional information: Environmental Control (EC) provision promotes independence, safety and quality of life. It is a means of providing a person with a disability, the ability to participate in every-day activities: domestic, social and in the workplace. Reducing dependency on others for routine tasks provides greater autonomy to the individual, assists in managing risks and may reduce support costs. It can also have a positive impact on the wellbeing of carers and family members.

A key element of EC Systems is that they enable the user to control multiple functions through an input and interface that are tailored to their individual needs. The systems are prescribed and assembled to meet individual need and may include a custom manufactured or bespoke element.

The service is to be available to persons of all ages, diversities, medical conditions (acquired or congenital) and place of residence (independent living, with family, residential care, nursing home), who have a severe disability, which restricts their ability to independently operate standard means for control of the environment and access to computer technology.

Service specification: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/complex-disability-equiptment-environmental-controls-all-ages.pdf

It is anticipated that this service will be commissioned under 2 Lots: Lot 1: Norfolk and Suffolk (anticipated number of patients (prevalence) -167) Lot 2: Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Bedfordshire (anticipated number of patients (prevalence) -134)

Provider(s) must be located in the NHS England Region of The East of England. https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/regional-area-teams/

The service is expected to commence in October 24.

The anticipated contract duration for this service is 5 years, with an option to extend the contract up to a further 2 year period at the Commissioner's discretion.

This notice is to advise prospective providers in the market of the commissioner's intention to commission this service and to provide an opportunity to engage with and participate in a market engagement questionnaire. It is possible that as a result of this exercise, a formal tender process will not be required but instead a simpler provider selection process will be undertaken. Where it is noted that competition is absent for a particular lot, the Commissioner reserves the right to direct award to provider(s) with no further competition. All providers will be notified of next steps following the conclusion of this market engagement exercise.

Documentation relating to this exercise including a questionnaire is available through the Atamis (Health Family) portal. To register your interest and access the questionnaire, please follow this link to the Atamis (Health Family) portal: https://healthfamily. force.com/s/Welcome.

The project reference is C215364 and the closing date for submission of the completed questionnaire is: 12pm (noon) 8th December 2023.