East Sussex Children and Adult Wheelchair and Specialist Seating Service Ref 18.434 Invitation to Tender

The aim of the East Sussex Children and Adult Wheelchair and Specialist Seating Service is to make sure users optimise their mobility and independence and improve their quality of life through receiving timely access to appropriate assessment, provision and maintenance of equipment through a fully integrated service.

The provider will assess users for the provision of wheeled mobility equipment (both powered and manual) for those with long term mobility problems. Pressure relieving cushions and postural management wheelchair equipment will also be provided to meet the user's long term clinical need. The provider will also assess for specialist static postural seating.

The Wheelchair Charter, developed by the National Wheelchair Leadership Alliance identified a number of ambitions for wheelchair services which the service provider will need to adhere to. These are: • A person centred service that works in partnership with service users and their carers and makes the user/carer voice central to any design, innovation and service change. • Equality of access and provision for all, irrespective of age or postcode and including essential user skills training as standard. • Entry to the service via referral from an appropriately skilled professional. The time from referral to delivery will be at least within the constitutional right of 18 weeks • Assessments for all wheelchairs and associated postural support within nationally mandated timescales and priorities taking into account all aspects of individual needs including those of carers. • Establishing regular reviews with the user/carer according to their individual needs. • Prescriptions which take into account the current and future needs for all adults and children including those of carers. • Delivery, maintenance and emergency backup provided to nationally mandated timescales. • Innovative and flexible budgeting working with key partners to strengthen integration across health, social care, work and education, enabling the accommodation of individual needs, independence health and wellbeing. • Recruitment of qualified staff in respect of numbers and skills, with support for on-going development and training. • Supporting clinicians, manufacturers and independent organisations working together to develop innovative, affordable products and solutions.

The service will commence on 1st July 2020.

The contract will be for 3 years and 9 months duration. Commissioners reserve the right to extend for up to a further 24 months. The value stated represents the value of the primary duration (3 years and 9 months).

An electronic process was used for this procurement.