Clinical Reviewers Framework

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) notifies the market of the intention of NHS England and NHS Improvement (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.

A specialist team within the Authority's Specialised Commissioning division 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 the 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 2019/20, there were 24 deaths in custody within London and in 2018/19 there were 20.

The new Clinical Reviewers Framework, resulting from this procurement, is expected to commence in February 2021 (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.

From time to time, Clinical Reviewers may also be commissioned to conduct thematic analyses of previous Clinical Reviews.

The new framework will comprise of 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 interactive engagement events in September 2020, to provide further information about the procurement, including:

- an overview of the proposed services to be provided

- details of the anticipated contract type, length, and conditions

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

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: The dates and registration details of the engagement events can be accessed on this link - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/63ee0421-6f85-49c4-871f-664913dca23c

NEL CSU 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.