Communication advice and strategic consultancy services

This notice is to inform of the intent to direct award a contract for continuation of services to Velindre University NHS Trust incumbent PR supplier.

It is proposed that Scruffy Dog PR continues to support the Trust on the basis that the services required are a direct extension of the specialist communications and reputational management support already being provided. The Trust is currently managing a number of ongoing and highly sensitive reputational issues, some of which involve confidential information, complex stakeholder considerations and an evolving public, political and media context. Scruffy Dog PR has developed a detailed understanding of these matters, the associated risks, the Trust’s risk appetite, and the careful handling required to ensure that communications remain accurate, proportionate and appropriately aligned with the Trust’s position.

Changing supplier at this stage would create a material risk of loss of continuity, duplication of effort and delay. A new supplier would need to be fully briefed on the background to the current reputational issues, including highly sensitive contextual information, stakeholder history, live risks and previous communications advice. This would be disproportionate given the pace and sensitivity of the work required and could compromise the Trust’s ability to respond quickly, consistently and effectively to emerging issues.

In addition, Scruffy Dog PR has an established understanding of the Trust’s priorities over the coming months, particularly the communications brief relating to the transition into the new Velindre Cancer Centre in spring 2027. This is a significant strategic programme for the Trust and will require careful, consistent and well-informed communications support across a range of audiences. The supplier’s existing knowledge of the Trust, its operating context, stakeholder landscape and current reputational challenges will enable the communications approach to be delivered with the necessary pace, sensitivity and consistency.

For these reasons, appointing an alternative supplier at this point would be likely to result in services that are materially different from, and potentially incompatible with, the existing work already undertaken. It would also create disproportionate operational and technical difficulties in maintaining continuity of advice, protecting confidentiality, ensuring consistent messaging and supporting the Trust’s ability to manage its communications workload effectively and efficiently.

Please note NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust) will manage this procurement on behalf of the contracting authority. Due to having the same identifiers, we're unable to reflect this in the notice options.