Provision of Domiciliary Care Services in the Western Health & Social Care Trust Area

Provision of Domiciliary Care Services in the Western Health and Social Care Trust (“the Trust”) Area Lot 3 Limavady The Trust refers to its response at VII.2.1 and VII.2.2. Extension to Contract Period The Trust issued a letter dated 24th February 2022 to amend the Contracts in Lot 3 with effect from 1st March 2022 (Variation Date) so that the Contract Period shall be amended to include one further period of extension of 12 months commencing on 1st March 2022 and expiring 28th February 2023. Department of Health Direction The Department of Health Northern Ireland (“DoH NI”) direction referred to at VII.2.1 and VII.2.2 states the following: “The overarching principles of this additional funding is to ensure that Independent Sector providers deliver significant improvements in the pay, and terms and conditions for staff across the sector. This has been emphasised to the sector representatives who have committed to ensuring that the uplift in funding will be utilised to stabilise and increase capacity across the sector. It is also the Department’s expectation that Trusts will work proactively with the sector to maximise capacity within areas of greatest need in terms of step-down and discharge from hospitals, waiting lists and unmet need. The Department will also continue to engage with the sector to drive these changes.”