Public procurement notice: Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice
Published: 2017-09-12
Buyer: NHS Bradford Districts CCG
Country: UK
Contract type: Services
Procedure: Negotiated without a prior call for competition
CPV classification: 85100000: Health services | 85110000: Hospital and related services | 85120000: Medical practice services | 85121000: Medical services
Estimated value: 900000 GBP

Technical requirements: The provision of a Primary Care Streaming Service in Bradford teaching hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Emergency Department.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/five-year-forward-view/next-steps-on-the-nhs-five-year-forward-view/urgent-and-emergency-care/
The NHS England mandate requires front door GP streaming in hospital by October 17. This was published in March 17 therefore requiring commissioners to award a contract within time-scales that do not allow for appropriate procurement and mobilisation. The mandate also stipulates that local, experienced GPs are used to best meet the needs of the local population and the service should be operational during the daytime, evenings and weekends.
Currently within Bradford, there has been limited piloting of the model via the introduction of primary care practitioners to undertake streaming in A&E. This has been funded through System Resilience money and came into operation in November '16. Challenges have been experienced sourcing GPs to work in the service resulting in high locum costs in the evenings and at weekends. This is therefore unsustainable. Recently Local Care Direct have been commissioned by BTHFT to provide a service “in hours” to pilot the sustainability of this model going forward. Following the publication of the national guidance, Bradford City and Bradford Districts CCGs will undertake commissioning responsibilities, however BTHFT remain a pivotal part of the work due to the location of the service at the Bradford Royal Infirmary site.
In and out of hours GP providers in Bradford, together with BTHFT, currently develop pathways of care together through the A&E Delivery Board. The intention of the commissioner is to continue working with Local Care Direct and to work with Bradford Care Alliance, and would like to invite expressions of interest from local GP practices who are able to support the development of this GP streaming service and work with the providers for a minimum of 6 months (potentially extending dependent on the outcomes of the initial 6 months).
The commissioner feels that this reinforces the EU treaty principle of Equal treatment and non-discrimination and supports the need to directly award the contract, as all local primary care providers have equal opportunity to commit their intent to provide the service.
The NHSE mandate supports the national strategic direction of urgent care services in the move towards accountable care and the establishment of sustainable, evidence-based urgent care. The NHS Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven and Bradford Urgent and Emergency Care Commissioning Strategy outlines how the system will develop, and GP streaming is fundamental in supporting the system in establishing accountable care.


Winner: Bradford Care Alliance
Award value: 900000