QU568 - Tier 2 Hearing Impaired Weight Management Service

Birmingham City Council ('the Council') Public Health is committed to tackling obesity and promoting healthy weight. The prevalence and disease burden resulting from excess weight is a major international public health concern. Almost two-thirds of adults in England are living with excess weight for their height (BMI >=25kg/m2), with similar figures in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Moreover, approximately one in six people in the UK have hearing loss (NHS England).

The Council requires a supplier for the provision of a Tier 2 Weight Management service specifically designed to meet the needs of those residents who have hearing impairments.

This contract will be for a period of 12 months commencing 1st May 2022 until 31st March 2023.

Aim is to provide appropriate Tier 2 weight management services to those residents who have hearing impairments.

Providers must be able to provide users with advice and support on diet & appropriate physical activity relative to their needs which is age appropriate and considers their gender and ethnicity needs where relevant.

o For those with hearing impairments to be able to access the service. For example, people with hearing loss find it difficult or impossible to use the telephone so alternative ways of communication need to be emphasises, such as text relay, text phone or online services. o The service should ensure it does not marginalise those with extremes of levels of hearing impairment, as this could further widen health inequalities. This takes into consideration recommendation 2 of PH53 which is to ensure services cause no harm. Reasonable adjustments should be made for different severities of hearing impairment, to ensure equitable access to services. If deemed appropriate, the provider should offer different sessions tailored to different levels of hearing loss. o The provider to directly establish with the user their weight loss goals and store these through the providers own confidentiality and data storing processes - this is a direct agreement between the provider and user. Examples of goals include to become more active, lose weight, feel healthier. Goals should be realistic to follow recommendation 7 of PH53 which is to address participants expectations. o Explain the increased risks that being obese poses to them. Discuss the benefits and give advice on a healthy diet and regular physical activity which should be tailored to individual circumstances. Importantly, weight loss should not be their only goal and excess weight loss can result in other adverse health conditions. Therefore, the service should provide clarity to users where BMI falls below normal range. Again, this considers recommendation 2 of PH53, ensuring services cause no harm. o They will provide a personalised assessment and advice about diet and physical activity. All services must be provided by a nutritionist/behaviour change therapist/physical activity specialist wh...

Additional information: If you are interested in tendering please click on the following link to access Birmingham City Council's tender Portal.

Delivery Notes

Birmingham

Is a Recurrent Procurement Type? : No