NHS England — Psychosocial substance misuse services at HMP Highpoint, HMP Warren Hill, HMP Hollesley Bay, HMP Norwich, HMP Bure and HMP Wayland

Location

East of England: HMP Highpoint, HMP Warren Hill, HMP Hollesley Bay, HMP Norwich, HMP Bure and HMP Wayland

Description

Total Quantity or Scope

Psychosocial substance misuse services at HMP Highpoint, HMP Warren Hill, HMP Hollesley Bay, HMP Norwich, HMP Bure and HMP Wayland.

Award Detail

CPV Codes

• 85000000 - Health and social work services

Indicators

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. ** NHS England (East) proposes to extend the contract with Phoenix Futures under the provisions of the Public Contract regulations 72 (1) b: These are specialised services with a limited market in the east of England. The previous provider went into administration in 2016/17 which may indicate the fragility of the market and the low margins available from the provision of this service. The service is provided to vulnerable people in prisons and therefore ensuring continuity of care at contract expiry is essential. The geographical locations of the prisons means that recruitment and retention of staff for the service is challenging. Market engagement specific to this contract opportunity has not been undertaken, but NHS England is aware from other possible providers of prison services in the region that the appetite for obtaining new business is constrained by the significant problems of finding and retaining experienced and qualified staff in these rural locations. Some providers have declined to vary their contracts for relatively limited service developments as a result. It is believed that the potential workforce issues associated with existing staff choosing not to TUPE transfer to a new employer when contracts expire are limiting the market. The changes resulting from the Health and Care Act and the implementation of integrated care partnerships are being managed by local providers. NHSE views one or two years of continuity and stability as helpful to ensuring the stability and continuity of these services. These issues support the rationale for NHSE extending this contract as they demonstrate that the exemption criteria are met. NHS England will review in 2023 and will decide either to tender the service at that point or in 2024 at the latest.