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Confidential Staff Liaison and Freedom To Speak Up Services

NHS Highland

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

05 Aug 2025 at 14:24

Award Notice
Award

02 Aug 2023 at 09:54

Award Notice
Award

19 Jun 2023 at 11:55

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NHS Highland has undertaken a public procurement process for the provision of "Confidential Staff Liaison and Freedom To Speak Up Services" focusing on staff development services, classified under CPV code 79633000. The procurement activity is currently at the contract update stage and involves The Guardian Service Ltd. as the supplier. This service aims to provide NHS Highland employees with an independent channel to raise concerns, aligned with the National Whistleblowing Standards since 2020. The contract period started on 1st August 2023 and will end on 30th November 2025, with an active contract valued at £375,980 GBP. The procurement location is in the NHS Highland area (UKM6), and the procurement method used was a limited procedure, highlighting its uniqueness and the specific experience of the supplier.

This procurement presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in staff development services, especially those experienced in providing whistleblowing and liaison services within healthcare. SMEs with expertise in delivering staff support and development services could find this contract particularly beneficial, offering a potential avenue for business growth. The limited procurement method signals a high demand for technical solutions tailored to specific industry experiences, setting a precedent for businesses that can offer specialised and niche solutions. Engaging in such a contract not only promises financial returns but also enhances reputation and experience within the public sector healthcare domain.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Confidential Staff Liaison and Freedom To Speak Up Services

Notice Description

NHS Highland requires the provision of Confidential Staff Liaison and Freedom to Speak up Services for NHS staff.

Lot Information

Lot 1

NHS Highland have been providing a Guardian / Speak up service since 2020, as recommended in the Sturrock review, this is to provide an independent channel for colleague concerns to be raised where other channels have not worked or cannot be used. This service was aligned to include the National Whistleblowing standards in NHS Highland also in 2020. The market was reviewed and the only established provider of this service that we have identified with appropriate and relevant NHS specific experience is The Guardian Service. The Guardian Service has been working with NHS Highland for the past three years and NHS Highland would like to continue to provide this service to its employees for a further 12 months with the option to extend for up to another 12 months.

Procurement Information

This procurement is unique in that the provider is offering a technical solution, based on it's specific positioning and experience, the likes of which is not available elsewhere in exactly the form that we desire to employ.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-03d761
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046168-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79633000 - Staff development services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£691,980 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Aug 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
14 Jun 20233 years ago
Contract Period
1 Aug 2023 - 30 Nov 2025 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS Highland
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
INVERNESS
Postcode
IV2 3BW
Postcode Area
Inverness
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM2 Highlands and Islands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM20 Highlands and Islands
Delivery Location
TLM6 Highlands and Islands
Local Authority
Highland
Electoral Ward
Inverness South
Westminster Constituency
Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

The Guardian Service Ltd.

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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