Advocacy Services for patients at Broadmoor Hospital

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) notifies the market about the intention of NHS England (London Region) to undertake a procurement to secure independent advocacy (including non statutory and IMHA services ) for resident patients at Broadmoor Hospital.

Broadmoor Hospital is one of four high security hospitals in the UK and one part of the pathway of care that is available for those with secure care needs. The other three hospitals are Rampton Hospital and Ashworth Hospital in England and the State Hospital as part of NHS Scotland. Secure services in the UK provide care and treatment for individuals with mental and or neurodevelopmental disorders who are liable to be detained under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007), and whose risk of harm to others and risk of escape from hospital cannot be managed safely within other mental health settings. Individuals will typically have complex chronic mental health disorders, which are linked to offending or seriously harmful behaviour. Some of the individuals will be involved with Criminal Justice System (CGS), courts and prison and may have Ministry of Justice (MoJ) restrictions imposed. The Generic & IMHA Advocacy Services for the patients in Broadmoor Hospital is based inside the secure perimeter of the hospital. The new service that will be secured as a result of this procurement is expected to commence in 2019. In line with the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended by the Mental Health Act 2007) and the Code of Practice (2015), Independent Advocacy will aim to support Broadmoor Hospital in being fully compliant with their statutory requirements. Including, but not restricted to those relating to enabling the increased involvement of advocacy services in restrictive practices. The advocacy model that is delivered will be proactive, by ensuring that each patient is personally, regularly made aware of the availability of advocacy services, complimented by an approach that is proactive in its response to referrals by patients, carers and hospital staff. Working collaboratively with clinicians it will to help promote innovation and improvement in the hospital by emphasising the engagement of patients and their carers in service delivery. It will provide a service that channels, rather than filters patients' views. Their primary commitment must be to supporting service users, and user groups, in developing towards self-advocacy. The advocacy services will also be available to support patients in making reports on their personal experiences of receiving care and treatment as part of the Care Programme Approach.

The purpose of this PIN is to inform the market of a possible procurement. In Issuing this PIN and engaging with the market, NHS England is not committing to carrying out any procurement in relation to the requirements stated in this PIN.

Additional information: Interested parties can express an interest in early engagement by following the link to the procurement portal provided in this advert.

Please note this is an expression of interest in market engagement only. Bidders will need to express interest separately when the actual procurement goes live.

The draft service specification and other pre-procurement documents will be made available in due course on the procurement portal.

Any future procurement activity in relation to the services that are the subject of this PIN may be the subject of a separate notice.