Primary Enhanced Service (PES)

Location

North East Essex

Description

NHS Essex Integrated Care Board (the Authority) intend to award a contract for provision of Primary Enhanced Services to the existing provider (GP Primary Choice Ltd (GPPC)) following a direct award process C under the Provider Selection Regime 23. Pursuant to the statutory changes effective from 1 April 2026, the commissioning responsibility for this service transferred from NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board to NHS Essex Integrated Care Board. Accordingly, the service constitutes an inherited commissioning arrangement arising directly from the organisational transition. Primary Enhanced Services are commissioned in addition to the Core and Mandatory requirements set out within the NHS Standard Contract. These services build on the essential primary medical services that all providers are contractually required to deliver, offering additional, specified activities aimed at improving access, quality, and patient outcomes. Providers must continue to meet all Core and Mandatory obligations while delivering any Enhanced Service provision. The approximate lifetime value of the contract including any extension if enacted is £6,017,452 (excluding VAT). The contract commences 1 October 2026 - 30 September 2027 with an option to extend for a further period of 12 months from 1 October 2027 - 30 September 2028.

Total Quantity or Scope

NHS Essex Integrated Care Board (the Authority) intend to award a contract for provision of Primary Enhanced Services to the existing provider (GP Primary Choice Ltd (GPPC)) following a direct award process C under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. Pursuant to the statutory changes effective from 1 April 2026, the commissioning responsibility for this service transferred from NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board (SNEE ICB) to the Authority. Accordingly, the service constitutes an inherited commissioning arrangement arising directly from the organisational transition. Prior to the transfer of commissioning responsibilities, SNEE ICB undertook a Key Criteria assessment to ensure the Decision Makers at this time were satisfied with current performance and reasonably expects the provider to continue to satisfy the proposed contract. The proposed contract is not changing considerably when compared with the previous contract delivered by the named provider. Following the transfer of commissioning responsibility, the Authority's Decision Makers have reviewed the assessment undertaken by SNEE ICB. The Authority confirms that the new Decision Makers are in full agreement with the conclusions reached in that assessment and are satisfied that the provider continues to meet the required standards of performance. The Authority is assured that the provider remains suitable to deliver the proposed contract and is reasonably expected to continue fulfilling all requirements to a high standard. The Authority may wish to introduce additional services during the lifetime of the contract ("Contract modifications"). Such contract modifications will be contemplated where additional requirements are similar and or complementary to the services already included in the Specification, at any given time. Such expansion would be by the addition of services commissioned by the Authority as named in the Contract Notice. To this end, after the award of contract, there is a possibility that the contract may be varied as allowable in accordance with the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.

Award Detail

Renewal Options

An extension period of 12 months may be enacted by the Authority between 1 October 2027 and 30 September 2028.

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85100000 - Health services
• 79625000 - Supply services of medical personnel
• 85120000 - Medical practice and related services
• 85121000 - Medical practice services
• 85121100 - General-practitioner services
• 85323000 - Community health services

Indicators

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

Legal Justification

This notice is issued as a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The proposed award of this contract is made in accordance with the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. Publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Providers wishing to make representations in relation to this intended award must do so by midnight on the 8th working day following publication of this notice. Representations must be submitted in writing to the named contact point within this notice. This contract has not yet been formally awarded; this notice sets out the Authority’s intention to award under the PSR, subject to the conclusion of the standstill period and consideration of any representations received. Award Decision-Makers: • Commissioning route options appraisal performed by the NEE Alliance Strategic Group • Direct Award recommendation agreed by the North East Essex Primary Care Commissioning Group • Final approval granted by the Joint Essex Executive Committee (includes NHS Essex Integrated Care Board). Conflicts of Interest: • No conflicts of interest, or potential conflicts of interest, were declared by any Decision Makers. Assessment against Key Criteria: The decision to award this contract in line with Direct Award Process C has been based on evaluation against the five required Key Criteria. The relative importance of the criteria reflects the need to ensure continuity, quality, integration, value, and system-wide sustainability in the delivery of these services. The rationale for the proposed award is set out below: • Quality and Innovation 20% – Assured The Authority is assured that the provider is delivering a safe and effective service in accordance with the current specification and contractual requirements. Performance in this area was reviewed in line with the Quality Impact Assessment. • Value 20% – Assured The Authority is satisfied that the provider continues to offer value to the integrated care system. The potential cost and disruption associated with changing provider are not justified when compared with the anticipated benefits, given the provider’s current performance. • Integration, Collaboration and Service Sustainability 20% – Assured The provider demonstrates effective integration and collaboration across the system, contributing positively to service sustainability. This is delivered both through contractual requirements and wider partnership activities. • Improving Access, Reducing Health Inequalities and Facilitating Choice 20% – Assured The provider is meeting population needs by supporting equitable access, reducing health inequalities, and facilitating patient choice. This criterion was reviewed with reference to the Equality Impact Assessment. • Social Value 20% – Assured The provider is delivering in line with the SNEE Green Plan and contributes to carbon reduction initiatives and activities that improve wider determinants of health. Assessment of this criterion considered the Sustainability Impact Assessment. These assessments, taken collectively, confirm that the provider meets the requirements specified for a Direct Award Process C and is expected to continue satisfying the requirements of the new contract. Furthermore, the Decision Makers within NHS Essex Integrated Care Board have reviewed and considered in full the assessment previously undertaken by NHS Suffolk and North East Essex ICB. The Authority confirms that the Essex ICB Decision Makers are assured by, and in agreement with, the conclusions reached in that assessment. The findings provide the Authority with sufficient confidence that the incumbent provider continues to meet the required standards and remains capable of delivering the service in accordance with the proposed contract.