National Framework Agreement for the provision of Secure Patient Transport Services

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

This public procurement record has 7 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

22 Oct 2025 at 12:56

TenderUpdate

13 Feb 2025 at 18:38

TenderUpdate

11 Feb 2025 at 11:57

TenderUpdate

18 Dec 2024 at 09:45

TenderUpdate

27 Nov 2024 at 11:10

Award

23 Oct 2024 at 08:43

Tender

01 Aug 2024 at 10:14

Summary of the contracting process

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is establishing a National Framework Agreement for Secure Patient Transport Services under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, intended for use by a variety of relevant authorities across England. This procurement process is currently at the tender stage, following an update on 22nd October 2025. The agreement is classified under health services and is designed for a period of 2 years with options to extend for up to 2 additional years. Notably, key decisions have already been concluded, with contracts awarded on 16th October 2024 to multiple suppliers, including 360 Ambulance Service Ltd, Prometheus Safe & Secure Ltd, and others, for a total contract value of £25 million per lot, excluding VAT.

This framework provides significant opportunities for businesses specialising in secure patient transport services to engage with multiple health authorities across the UK. SMEs, in particular, are strategically positioned to leverage their expertise in delivering high-quality, safe transport solutions. With a focus on quality and innovation, integration, and improving access to care, businesses can contribute to reducing health inequalities while enhancing service delivery. The procurement method followed is open, providing a competitive environment that encourages entities with robust service offerings and capacities to participate actively. Interested parties should find this framework beneficial for expanding their market reach and fostering growth through engagements with NHS entities.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

National Framework Agreement for the provision of Secure Patient Transport Services

Notice Description

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust wishes to establish a Framework Agreement under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (and as amended) (the PSR) for use by all Relevant Authorities (and any future successors to these organisations). "Relevant authority" is defined in section 12ZB(7) of the National Health Service Act 2006. It means a combined authority, an integrated care board, a local authority in England, NHS England, an NHS foundation trust or an NHS trust established under section 25 of that Act. For the avoidance of doubt, any successor bodies of any of the above entities shall be entitled to place Orders and shall be deemed Relevant Authorities for the purposes of this Framework Agreement. This framework agreement aims to support mental health patient requirements through the provision of secure patient transport services. This framework will run for a term of 2 years with options to extend for up to a further 2 years in annual increments.

Lot Information

Lot 1

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES The Supplier will provide secure patient transport services. The expected outcomes of the Services will be: * Provide patients with a safe, professional, and quality service which is appropriate to their needs. * Provide the appropriate vehicle and accompanying suitably qualified and experienced staff in a timely manner. * Convey patients to the appropriate destination in a vehicle suitable for their needs, ensuring their dignity and respect. * Provide a high-quality service based on individual patient needs which meets industry best practice and NICE guidance. * Provide an efficient, easy to use booking system for Contracting Authorities to utilise to minimise delays. * Provide all appropriate paperwork and service level reports in accordance with national and local requirements. * Eliminate aborted journeys/empty vehicles to provide a financially and environmentally sustainable service. REASON FOR NOTICE This is an intention to award notice to conclude a framework agreement using the competitive process. LIFETIME VALUE OF AGREEMENT PS25,000,000 RELEVANT AUTHORITIES ABLE TO USE THE AGREEMENT The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust wishes to establish a new Framework Agreement under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (and as amended) (the PSR) for use by all Relevant Authorities (and any future successors to these organisations). "Relevant authority" is defined in section 12ZB(7) of the National Health Service Act 2006. It means a combined authority, an integrated care board, a local authority in England, NHS England, an NHS foundation trust or an NHS trust established under section 25 of that Act. For the avoidance of doubt, any successor bodies of any of the above entities shall be entitled to place Orders and shall be deemed Relevant Authorities for the purposes of this Framework Agreement. DURATION OF AGREEMENT The framework will run for a term of 2 years with options to extend for up to a further 2 years in annual increments.

Options: The framework will run for a term of 2 years with options to extend for up to a further 2 years in annual increments.

Renewal: The framework will run for a term of 2 years with options to extend for up to a further 2 years in annual increments.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04869f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067457-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

34114122 - Patient-transport vehicles

60000000 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

85100000 - Health services

85143000 - Ambulance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£25,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£25,000,000 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Oct 202510 months ago
Submission Deadline
3 Sep 2024Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
16 Oct 20241 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Additional Buyers

All Relevant Authorities as defined in section 12ZB(7) of the National Health Service Act 2006 (and any successor bodies) shall be eligible users of this framework.

“Relevant authority” is defined in section 12ZB(7) of the National Health Service Act 2006. It means a combined authority, an integrated care board, a local authority in England, NHS England, an NHS foundation trust or an NHS trust established under section 25 of that Act.

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CHESTER
Postcode
CH2 1UL
Postcode Area
Chester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD6 Cheshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD63 Cheshire West and Chester
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Cheshire West and Chester
Electoral Ward
Upton
Westminster Constituency
Chester North and Neston

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
10
Supplier Names

360 Ambulance Service Ltd

Definitive PSA Limited trading as Secure 24 Limited

ERS Transition trading as EMED Group Limited

Elite Medical and Ambulance Services Limited

Health Connections PTS Limited

NERAMS Ltd

Pegasus Medical (1808) Limited

Prometheus Safe & Secure Ltd

Secure Care UK Limited

Vcare24 Ltd

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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