Request for Quotation - Health Needs Assessment and Equality and Health Inequalities Assessment for Sexual Assault Referral Centres and Sexual Offence Examiner Services across the South West

NHS England and NHS Improvement (South West) seeks bids from providers who have the capability to deliver Health Needs Assessments (HNAs) and an Equalities & Health Inequalities Assessment (EHIA) for Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) and Sexual Offence Examiner (SOE) Services for Adults, Children and Young People in the South West of England. Bidders will be required to undertake the work for the following services:

• Gloucestershire SARC • Swindon & Wiltshire SARC • Avon & Somerset SARC • Devon & Cornwall (and Isles of Scilly) SARCs (includes three SARCs) • Sexual Offence Examiner Services across the South West

There are two regional Centres of Excellence for paediatric services as part of the Avon & Somerset and Devon & Cornwall SARC provision.

SOE services are commissioned separately to SARCS, by the Regional Police Procurement Department. They operate on a regional basis across the South West, with a northern and southern rota for Forensic Physicians and Nurse Examiners.

Both the SARC and SOE provision are due to be recommissioned during 2021/22 and this HNA/ EIA exercise will be key to informing the future recommissioning of service provision.

Both ISVA and therapeutic provision are out of scope of this exercise, although should be included in the consideration of pathways and partnerships.

The aims of the HNA and EHIA are:

•To consider the health needs, vulnerabilities and demographics of the populations of Gloucestershire, Swindon & Wiltshire, Avon & Somerset, Devon & Cornwall (and the Isles of Scilly).

•To map the current provision of sexual assault and abuse services in these areas for adults and children.

•To consider the possible integration of SARC and Sexual Offence Examiner (SOE) services.

•To consider relevant policy, strategy and legislation and assess service compliance.

•To consider and make recommendations for the enhancement of services, pathways and partnerships.

•To consider issues of accessibility, travel and location.

•To canvass the views and opinions of service users and residents within the South West.

•To consider the impact of recommended service changes on different elements of the population, including those with protected characteristics.

The contract is aimed to commence in July 2020 with the HNA being completed within 3 months of contract commencement and the EIA within 4 months. It is recognised however, the current COVID-19 situation may impact on the delivery of the requirements within these timeframes. The position will be monitored by the Commissioner in conjunction with the successful provider and adjusted accordingly if required.

This procurement is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.

Additional information: Interested providers will be able to view this opportunity via the 'current tenders' list on the e-procurement system In-Tend, available on the following link: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/scwcsu/aspx/Home

In order to submit a bid, you will need to be registered on the e-procurement system and 'express an interest', and 'Opt in' and then complete a response as specified within the procurement documents.

On registration, please include at least two contacts to allow for access to the system in times of absence.