Provision of Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services for NHS Dudley, NHS Wolverhampton and NHS Sandwell & West Birmingham CCGs

***THIS ADVERT IS FOR A MARKET ENGAGEMENT EVENT ONLY***

NHS Arden and GEM CSU, on behalf of NHS Dudley, NHS Wolverhampton and NHS Sandwell & West Birmingham CCGs are holding a Market Engagement Event for providers of Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services. The CCGs are seeking to gain enhanced understanding of the market's perception of:

- Potential financial modelling; - potential lotting strategies; and - the draft service specification.

The event will also provide a forum for providers to pose any questions they may have of the commissioning CCGs in advance of the launch of a formal tender process.

Indicative activity data from the CCGs, along with the draft service specification are attached to this advert. Information regarding potential lotting strategies, for discussion with interested parties are included in the additional text below.

By way of background, the Department of Health defines Non-emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS) activity as being typified by the non-urgent, planned transportation of patients, with a medical need for transport, to and from a premises providing NHS healthcare and between NHS healthcare Provider/s. This can and should encompass a wide range of vehicle types and levels of care consistent with the patients' medical needs. The overarching principle of NEPTS is that only patients who are eligible for transport will receive safe, timely and comfortable transport, without detriment to their medical condition. The objectives of the service are to ensure that delivery is high quality, responsive, high performing, provides value for money, is environmentally efficient and innovative in the use of information technology. Details of patient eligibility can be found in the draft service specification attached to this advert.

Commissioners are supportive of partnership models that can include car/taxi companies, community transport operators, and volunteer services including those working within hospital trusts, in order to deliver the service as specified.

The event will be held between 9am and 3pm on Wednesday 22nd May. An initial presentation will be given by commissioners after which there will be an opportunity for potential bidders to have one to one sessions with the commissioners which will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

To secure a place at the event, request a one to one session (if desired), and access details of the venue, please visit Eventbrite using the following link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/market-engagement-non-emergency-patient-transport-for-3-black-country-ccgs-tickets-61296443312. Providers are also asked to answer a short survey based on the information attached to this advert when reserving their place. Information provided will be treated as confidential and will be used to inform the Commissioners' overall procurement strategy.

Additional information: ***POTENTIAL LOTTING STRUCTURE ONLY***

Lot 1 - Patient Transport via Ambulances

The NEPTS service will provide safe, timely and comfortable transport to eligible patients. The Provider shall supply sufficient vehicles to provide the service under the Contract. In so doing, it is expected that vehicles will transport those patients that are best suited for this mode of transport such as patients with:

• a high level of dependency; • bariatric; • 4 person lift; • stretcher patients; • neonatal patients and • (complex) renal patients • Wheelchair (two person)

Lot 2 - Patient Transport by car/taxi (including renal patients)

The NEPTS service will provide safe, timely and comfortable transport to eligible patients. The Provider shall supply sufficient vehicles to provide the service under the Contract. In so doing, it is expected that vehicles will transport those patients that are best suited for this mode of transport such as patients with:

• (mobile/non-complex) renal patients • Wheelchair (one person) • Walking with no/minimal assistance • Paediatrics (car seat usage) with escort

Lot 3 - Call Handling

The NEPTS Provider will handle all Dudley CCG Bookings, bookings for Wolverhampton CCG are out of scope of this service. All NEPTS bookings for services within the Dudley specification will be assessed against the eligibility by the Provider prior to acceptance. The Providers booking system must facilitate: • Ease and efficiency of booking • Confirmation of booking to Patient Transport Office using a Booking Reference Number, including confirmation that suitable arrangements are in place. • Functionality for regular, repeat bookings • Enable the cancellation of bookings up-to 2 hours prior to appointment time • Highlight and investigate repeat bookings • Highlight and investigate aborted journeys/cancellations • Highlight and investigate any patient who refuses to travel, and has not cancelled their booked transport, on two+ occasions • Record and report patient information and delivery against quality measures. • Highlight relevant patient specific details such as communicable diseases, DNR in place, for example. The Provider will supply a computerised booking system with hardware