Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) Rehabilitation Services

Location

Eastleigh

Description

The contract covers the delivery of specialist Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation services for those with a mild to moderate diagnosis, including: • Clinical assessment and diagnosis support. • Symptom management and pacing education. • Multidisciplinary therapeutic interventions. • Ongoing patient support and review. • Collaboration with primary and secondary care partners. • Data reporting and service evaluation.

Total Quantity or Scope

The contract covers the delivery of specialist ME/CFS assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation services for those with a mild to moderate diagnosis, including: •Clinical assessment and diagnosis support •Symptom management and pacing education •Multidisciplinary therapeutic interventions •Ongoing patient support and review •Collaboration with primary and secondary care partners •Data reporting and service evaluation. The ME/CFS service supports people to achieve their management and recovery goals and needs, whilst improving their mental health. The service aims to support and prevent a decline in a person's health condition, delivering structured yet flexible recovery programmes based on each individual's recovery goals. South Coast Fatigue, the existing provider has been selected due to its specialist expertise, established service model, and proven capability in delivering high‑quality ME/CFS services across NHS Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight. The ICB intends to award a contract following direct award process C, the approximate lifetime value of the contract is £1,475,100 The service will commence on the 1st of April 2026 until the 31st of March 2028 with a 1 year (12 month) extension option.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85100000 - Health services

Indicators

• Award on basis of price.

Legal Justification

'This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by midnight 2nd of March 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR'.

Other Information

The decision was approved by the following ICB boards/committees: No Conflicts of Interest were declared by those individuals making the decision. The key criteria has been taken into consideration and applied a weighting value . Evidence has been reviewed from the provider via contract review meetings, monthly reporting and documentation supplied to the ICB, as to whether they were fulfilling the criteria and could continue to fulfil the criteria: Service - 25% Value - 25% Integration, collaboration and service sustainability - 15% Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice- 25% Social value - 10% The decision to award this contract via Direct Award - Process C is based on the following considerations: Specialist Nature of the Service ME/CFS is a complex, highly specialised clinical area requiring providers with demonstrable expertise, established clinical pathways, and the capability to deliver multidisciplinary interventions. Continuity of Care: South Coast Fatigue is an existing specialist provider with a proven track record of delivering high quality ME/CFS services for the past 7 years. A competitive procurement at this time would risk disruption to patient care, increase current waiting times and potential deterioration in patient outcomes. Continuity is essential to maintain safe and effective service delivery. Proven Capability and Capacity: There is strong evidence through local contract monitoring that this service represents value for money delivering good clinical outcomes for the patients it serves. There is also good evidence of supporting the wider healthcare system, 84% of respondents reporting they no longer need to see their GP in relation to their ME/CFS following completion of their fatigue management programme with South Coast Fatigue. South Coast Fatigue has demonstrated: •Strong clinical governance arrangements' •Robust, evidence based service model' •The ability to meet performance and reporting requirements, providing qualitative and quantifiable data to demonstrate the improvements and impact of the ME/CFS Service against the agreed objectives. •Provided a robust business model that demonstrates capacity building and growth to meet rising demand, supported by predicted prevalence rates, over the 3-year contract period. Over the life of the existing contract, we have worked with South Coast Fatigue to undertake detailed capacity modelling, explore opportunities to enact demand management initiatives, and implement productivity efficiencies. Subsequently, the new contract includes a 13% increase in productivity based on the re-modelling of the treatment offer, and a 14% cost per case reduction based on internal operating efficiencies. written representations should be sent: pho-tr.hiowicbprocurement@nhs.net