NHS BNSSG - Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services

This notice is placed as a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to inform the market of NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) Integrated Care Board's (the Commissioner), intention to recommission Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services. The Commissioner would like to communicate a planned market engagement event and request expressions of interest for this. The service will provide transport for eligible BNSSG patients that meet one or more of the following criteria: A. They have a medical need for transport typically because they: • require oxygen and are unable to self-administer this during transit • need specialised equipment during the journey • need to be closely monitored during the journey • need to be transferred to another hospital • have a medical condition, have undergone major surgery (such as a transplant) and/or the potential side effects of treatment are likely to require assistance or monitoring during their journey • have a medical condition or disability that could compromise their dignity or cause public concern on public transport or in a licensed taxi or private hire vehicle, and do not have access to appropriate private transport • have a communicable disease with which travel on public transport or in a taxi is not advised, and do not have access to appropriate private transport • have been clinically determined as at risk from using public transport due to being immunocompromised and are unable to make their own way with relatives/friends and/or escorts/carers whether by private transport or a taxi B. They have a cognitive or sensory impairment requiring the oversight of a member of specialist or non-specialist patient transport staff or a suitably trained driver. This is likely to include patients who: • have dementia or another mental health condition that means they are unable to make their own way with relatives/friends and/or escorts/carers whether by private transport, public transport or a taxi • have a confused state of mind, learning/communication difficulties, hearing loss and/or impaired sight of a severity that they are unable to make their own way with relatives/friends and/or escorts/carers whether by private transport, public transport or a taxi • are at risk to themselves or others if they travel independently C. They have a significant mobility need that means they are unable to make their own way with relatives/friends and/or escorts/carers whether by private transport (including a specially adapted vehicle if appropriate for the journey), public transport or a taxi. This is likely to include patients who: • need to travel lying down and/or need a stretcher for all or part of the journey • need specialist bariatric provision • are unable to self-mobilise • are wheelchair users. D. They are travelling to or returning from in-centre haemodialysis, in which case specialist transport, non-specialist transport or upfront/reimbursement costs for private travel will be made available. This will be following a shared decision-making process to consider the appropriate requirements for the patient. E. A safeguarding concern has been raised by any relevant professional involved in a patient's life, in relation to the patient travelling independently. This may mean that the patient requires the oversight of a suitably trained driver or other member of patient transport staff. F. They have wider mobility or medical needs that have resulted in treatment or discharge being missed or severely delayed. The service will provide transport between their places of residence, community and acute settings in reasonable time and comfort without detriment to their medical condition for secondary care treatment. This shall include secondary care services provided in a primary care setting. The geographical scope of this contract includes the transport of all BNSSG patients to points of NHS care. Planned Transport specifically covers pre-booked journeys to and from healthcare booked prior to 17:00 the day before transport. Non urgent patient transport should be seen as part of an integrated programme of care and a non-emergency patient is one who, whilst requiring treatment, does not require an immediate or urgent response. The estimated budget for this service is currently £5,331,710 per annum. This will be subject to annual inflationary uplift which will be detailed in the Invitation to Tender documentation. The expected contract term is likely be for 5 years with the option to extend for a further 2 years, making an estimated contract value of £26,658,550 over the initial 5-year term. If the 2-year extension option is utilised the estimated total contract value is £37,321,970. These figures do not include the annual inflationary uplift. The new contract will commence on 1st April 2026. An 8-month mobilisation period has been scheduled to enable sufficient time to implement the new service including the purchase of vehicles. TUPE may apply to this process. It is the Commissioners intention to hold a market engagement event on Wednesday 29th January 2025, with all parties who have registered their interest. An invitation to this in person event will be issued directly to you once you have registered on the Atamis portal. The deadline to register your interest is 12:00 Friday 17th January 2025. This exercise is being managed by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.