North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust Out of Area Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Placement Reference Number LD/RB28

Location

UKC14 - County Durham

Description

This Contract Award notice is placed under the Healthcare Services Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Regulations 2023 Regulation 8 for Direct Award Process B, where the Trust is awarding this contract having conducted spot purchasing analysis and concluded that this is the only available option. The Trust has a choice of providers, and is not seeking to restrict the number of providers. The Service is for specialised Psychiatric care for a named patient. Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) are specialist wards that provide inpatient mental health care, assessment and comprehensive treatment to individuals who are experiencing the most acutely disturbed phase of a serious mental disorder. The Contract has been awarded following Direct Award process B, at £1,081.00 per day for a nominal period of 4 weeks as the exact duration is unknown. The patient would be reviewed daily monday-friday and would be re-patriated where clinically appropriate. Estimated total cost is £30,268.00 from 28th January 2026 to not known. The Trust had a spot purchasing arrangement with this provider in the past, and this is a continuation of that service for a new placement, now coming directly through the Trust whereas previously it sat under the ICB. The contract is new as the Trust are placing the contract directly but the arrangements have been previously in place under spot purchasing via the ICB.

Total Quantity or Scope

The Service is for specialised Psychiatric care for a named patient. Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) are specialist wards that provide inpatient mental health care, assessment and comprehensive treatment to individuals who are experiencing the most acutely disturbed phase of a serious mental disorder. The Contract has been awarded following Direct Award process B, at £1081.00 per day for a nominal period of 4 weeks as the exact duration is unknown. The patient would be reviewed daily mon-fri and would be re-patriated where clinically appropriate. Estimated total cost is £30,268.00 from 28th January 2026 to not known. The Trust had a spot purchasing arrangement with this provider in the past, and this is a continuation of that service for a new placement, now coming directly through the Trust whereas previously it sat under the ICB. The contract is new as the Trust are placing the contract directly but the arrangements have been previously in place under spot purchasing via the ICB.

Award Detail

Renewal Options

The placement will be reviewed weekly, and extended subject to the ongoing needs of the patient.

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85111500 - Psychiatric hospital services

Indicators

• Options are available.
• Award on basis of price.

Legal Justification

The service is Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) inpatient beds. Psychiatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) are specialist wards that provide inpatient mental health care, assessment and comprehensive treatment to individuals who are experiencing the most acutely disturbed phase of a serious mental disorder. The contract has been awarded following Direct Award process B, at £1081.00 per day for a nominal period of 4 weeks as the duration is unknown. The patient would be reviewed daily mon-fri and would be repatriated where clinically appropriate. Estimated total cost is £30,268.00 from 28th January 2026 to not known. The Trust had a spot purchasing arrangement with this provider in the past, and this is a continuation of that service for a new placement, now coming through the Trust, whereas previously it sat under the ICB. There were no alternative placements identified within the required timeframe. The patient has no legal right to choose, but the Trust does not want to restrict the number of providers. This is highly specialised psychiatric services with limited availability nationally. All known providers were contacted to ascertain whether they could provide the required service, only this provider responded in the required timeframe.

Other Information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) confirmation of contract award notice. This contract has been awarded under the Health Care Services Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The Award decision maker for this procurement was the Service Manager on 28th January 2026. There were no conflicts of interest declared.