PROVISION OF AN ALTERNATIVE PROVIDER OF MEDICAL SERVICES (APMS) CONTRACT FOR NHS WEST LEICESTERSHIRE CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUP

NHS West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (WL CCG) was seeking to commission a provider to deliver medical services at Thurmaston Health Centre, Leicestershire under an Alternative Provider of Medical Services contract from the 18th of October 2021 for a weighted population of 6,703 patients.

The Commissioners wished to receive responses to the Invitation to Tender (ITT) from suitably qualified and experienced Providers with the necessary skill and experience (or a demonstrable ability to provide the skill and experience) to provide the range of services required.

The aim of the service is to deliver all essential, additional and enhanced primary care services to all registered patients at the practice.

The Commissioner was seeking innovation in the provision of integrated primary care services, which align to both the national and local strategic plans, i.e.:

a) ‘Do things differently’:

o develop new ways to improve access and service delivery;

o improve integration and collaborative working with local health and social care providers, including Primary Care Networks;

o improve engagement with patients in the development of integrated primary care services ensuring the patient has more control over their own health and the care they receive.

b) Preventing illness, tackling health inequalities:

o promote physical and psychological well-being and self- care;

o addressing health inequalities to improve patient outcomes.

c) ‘Provide world class care for major health problems’ through:

o improved continuity of care;

o clinical audit;

o appropriate risk assessment to promote early diagnosis of chronic disease;

o improved long term condition management.

d) Making better use of data and digital technology:

o supporting the ‘digital first’ approach with clinically safe, NHS approved digital technology to improve access, increase patient choice, and improve quality and outcomes.

e) Backing the workforce:

o providing a GP-led service with appropriate clinical oversight to support the multi- disciplinary practice team;

o providing and supporting all staff holistically, ensuring personal development, promoting confidence and greater staff satisfaction.

The contract was for a term of five (5) years from the Service start date with the possibility of extending the term by up to another 5 years beyond the initial contracted term at the Commissioner’s request. The contract start date was 18th of October 2021.

The contract value for this service was variable, and estimated to be £938,513 at 2021/22 prices, and up to a total £9.39m over the potential 10-years of the contract (including extensions). The Commissioner advised it would reject bids that did not meet the sustainability test (as defined in the tender documentation).

The service was commissioned via an open type procurement process according to the Light Touch Regime of the Procurement Contract Regulations 2015 for healthcare services advertised to all providers which was proportionate to the value and complexity of the service and contract.

The invitation to tender (ITT) was available from 12th May 2021 on the ML CSU Bravo portal (see below) and had a deadline for submissions of 12:00 noon on 9th June 2021.