Clinical Reviewers Framework

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) notifies the market of the intention of NHS England (London Region) - hereafter referred to as "the Authority" - to undertake a procurement to secure a framework of Independent Clinical Reviewers into Deaths in Custody and Detention. This is also a Market Engagement exercise.

A specialist team within the Authority's commission Health & Justice services within London. The team are responsible for appointing Clinical Reviewers to Prison and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) investigations when deaths within the secure London estate occur - the secure estate includes seven adult prisons in London, one young offenders' institution, and two Heathrow Immigration Removal Centres (IRC).

Clinical Reviewers conduct independent Clinical Reviews as part of wider investigations led by the PPO into deaths that occur within the secure estate in London, and in rare cases deaths of patients recently released from custody or detention. The role of a Clinical Reviewer is to examine the clinical care pertinent to the death, provided to the deceased, whilst in custody, and to determine whether the care was equivalent, in accordance with national guidance, standards and local policy, to the care that one could expect to receive in the community.

In 2021, there were 26 deaths in custody within London, in 2022 there were 6 and in 2023 there were 22.

The Clinical Reviewers Framework, re-procured, is expected to commence in January 2025 (subject to change) with Reviewers commissioned on an ad hoc basis to conduct three levels of review:

- Level one - a desk-based review of records and the production of a written report

- Level two - a desk-based review of records, interviews with healthcare staff and the production of a written report

- And level three - a panel review with a lead Reviewer and multi-disciplinary input, including a desk-based review of records, interviews with healthcare staff and a written report.

On occasion, Clinical Reviewers may also be commissioned to undertake other reviews i.e. system reviews or thematic analyses.

The framework will comprise of registered clinicians, such as GPs and nurses, capable of conducting robust and challenging independent Clinical Reviews. The Authority welcomes engagement from all prospective Bidders and stakeholders, including individual clinicians.

The Authority plans to hold online engagement process using MS forms, to gather information from the market about the procurement, including:

- the proposed services to be provided

- anticipated contract type, length, and conditions

- an overview of the procurement process and the anticipated timeline.

Please read the attached documents

The purpose of this PIN is to inform the market of a possible procurement. In issuing this PIN and engaging with the market, the Authority is not committing to carrying out any procurement in relation to the requirements stated in this PIN.

Additional information: If interested in taking part in this market engagement exercise, please fill the MS form by copying the ling below and pasting to your browser:

https://forms.office.com/e/6GrhJPBFup

Please make sure you fill and submit the form by 12 April 2024.

London Commercial Hub is conducting this procurement exercise for and on behalf of the Authority.

Any future procurement activity in relation to the services that are the subject of this PIN may be the subject of a separate notice.