RESTORING RAPID ACCESS: FAST TRACK MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT ACROSS THE VALE

Location

Cardiff

Description

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board intends to procure a service to provide rapid mental health assessment and short-term support for patients across the Central, Western, and Eastern Vale clusters for a period of two years. The service will deliver urgent assessments within 24 hours of referral, offer up to 6–8 one-to-one sessions per patient, and integrate social prescribing to support holistic care. It will handle up to 87 referrals per month (approximately 1,041 patients annually), using existing referral mechanisms to maintain continuity and reduce pressure on primary care. Performance will be monitored through quarterly reporting on referral volumes, timeliness, DNA rates, and social prescribing outcomes, with a target of 95% of assessments completed within 24 hours. The aim is to provide timely, cost-effective mental health support in the community, prevent escalation of need, and improve patient outcomes. This notice is an intention to award a contract under the Most Suitable Provider Process. This a new service with an existing provider. The contract is for a period of 2 years commencing on 01 January 2026 to 31st December 2027 and has been awarded to Mind in the Vale, 31 Barry Road, Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, CF63 1BA.

Ammendments to Previous Notice

Award Detail

CPV Codes

• 85312320 - Counselling services

Indicators

• Contract modified due to unforeseen circumstances.

Legal Justification

Most Suitable Provider Process confirmation of contract award notice, for the avoidance of doubt, this notice does not represent a modification of contract.

Other Information

This is a Provider Selection Regime Wales (PSR Wales) confirmation of contract award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Services (Provider Selection Regime) (Wales) Regulations 2025. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015/Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the award to a provider under the Most Suitable Provider Process, this notice serves as an award of contract under the PSR Wales. The contract has been awarded on 29th December 2025 and the service will be provided from 1st January 2026 to 31st December 2027. The award decision-makers’ reasons for selecting the chosen provider and utilising the Most Suitable Provider Process were based on the provider’s proven track record and ability to deliver a unique, high-performing service that meets an urgent local need. Mind in the Vale has successfully operated the Fast Track Mental Health Pathway since 2021, consistently achieving 97% of referrals assessed within 24 hours and maintaining a low DNA rate of 3%. The provider offers immediate operational readiness, established governance, and compliance with NHS Information Governance standards, supported by an existing DPIA and clinical supervision framework. The proposed cost per patient represents excellent value for money, factoring in updated staffing and administrative costs. The award decision makers for this process were Central, Eastern and Western Vale Cluster Project Development Managers & Central Vale Cluster Lead within Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. No providers were excluded from the procurement process; There were no declared conflicts or potential conflicts of interest of individuals making the decision. Information that has not been published and is withheld under regulation 23(1) due to commercial sensitivity (WA Ref:159820)