Award

NHS SY ICB - Non Emergency Patient Transport Service

NHS SOUTH YORKSHIRE INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

28 Feb 2025 at 15:23

Summary of the contracting process

NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (NHS South Yorkshire ICB) is planning to award a contract for non-emergency patient transport services under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). The contract aims to provide high-quality, safe, timely, and efficient transport services for eligible service users in South Yorkshire (region UKE3). The procurement method chosen is a direct award without prior publication of a call for competition. The standstill period begins on 29th February 2025 and representations by providers must be made by 12th March 2025. The total contract value is approximately £322,672 and it will run from 1st April 2025 to 30th September 2025.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses that can deliver high-quality transport services, focussing on sustainability and innovation. Companies that are capable of demonstrating their commitment to reducing carbon emissions, providing a safe and compassionate environment for service users, and offering value for money will be well-suited to compete. The existing provider, First 4 Care Ltd, exemplifies the type of enterprise that can thrive in this competitive space, having been recognised for innovative staffing models and outstanding service quality. Businesses able to collaborate with local health authorities and integrate with regional healthcare systems, while focusing on reducing health inequalities and improving access, are positioned to benefit greatly from this contract.

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Notice Title

NHS SY ICB - Non Emergency Patient Transport Service

Notice Description

To provide Service Users who are eligible for transport will receive safe, timely, dignified and comfortable transport, without detriment to their medical condition.<br/>To ensure that service delivery is high quality, responsive, high performing, provides value for money, is environmentally efficient, considers sustainability and innovative in the use of information technology.<br/>To provide a safe environment with suitable trained staff for Service Users to travel to their appointment.<br/>Service Provider must demonstrate a commitment to reduce carbon emissions and the carbon footprint of service users journeys where possible.

Lot Information

Lot 1

To provide Service Users who are eligible for transport will receive safe, timely, dignified and comfortable transport, without detriment to their medical condition.
To ensure that service delivery is high quality, responsive, high performing, provides value for money, is environmentally efficient, considers sustainability and innovative in the use of information technology.
To provide a safe environment with suitable trained staff for Service Users to travel to their appointment.
Service Provider must demonstrate a commitment to reduce carbon emissions and the carbon footprint of service users journeys where possible.

South Yorkshire ICB are intending to award a contract an existing provider following direct award process C.

The approximate value of the contract will be PS322,672.

The contract will run from 1st April 2025 to 30th September 2025. Additional information: The key criteria that were used to make a decision, are:

Key Criteria 1 - Quality & Innovation - Weighting 25%

There are no performance or quality issues with the First4Care Contract

There have been no breach notices or remdial action plans against the contract

The provider meets with the commissioner on a quarterly basis to discuss performance and activity.
The provider is continually reviewing performance and suggesting ways to make improvements in care delivery.

Key Criteria 2 - Value - Weighting 20%

It is estimated that around PS460 million is spent on NEPTS a year across England - at an average cost of around PS38 per journey. That represents about PS1 in every PS275 spent by the NHS, approximately the same as the total cost of radiotherapy. For people with a medical or severe mobility need, non-emergency patient transport services (NEPTS) provide an essential means to access the NHS, who otherwise might not be able to attend appointments of be discharged from hospital.

First4 Care is an independent provider of transport services and is flexible to take advantage of local workforce offering VfM for the system and employability of people in the local area. This is reflected in the 'Outstanding' CQC rating results, with the inspection stating that First4Care has an innovative staffing model, based on grassroot ownership, which empowered staff in decision making to drive quality and service.

There are currently no performance notices for any of the KPIs associated with the contract.

The provider are willing to deliver the service at the current contract value. The service cost value of service will not increase.

CQC registered and inspected with the latest inspection being 31 May 2023. First4Care have been rated as 'Good' in all areas and 'Outstanding' in the Well-led department.

The service meets the agreed response times and treats patients with compassion and kindness, respects their privacy and dignity and takes account of their individual needs.

Key Criteria 3 - Integration, collaboration and service sustainability - Weighting 25%

On average the Provider discharges a total of 11,268 patients per annum from Barnsley, Rotherham, and Doncaster hospitals, who otherwise would not be able to be discharged from hospital. The Provider works collaboratively with system partners ensuring greater regional alignment to create a consistent minimum service offer for patients and acute trust partners- simpler interface, avoiding delays and confusion

PTS Patient Charter explains the providers responsibilities and commitment to providing the highest quality service to SY patients. It has been designed in conjunction with hospitals and other healthcare organisations and professionals in South Yorkshire.

The provider has actively listened to patients, staff, volunteers, our SY communities and our healthcare partners to make sure their strategy is reflective of their views and expectations:

The provider has committed to deliver the most clinically appropriate response for every patient, whenever and where they need it. Provide care that is personalised, joined up and coordinated with the wider healthcare system, Deliver quality care that is evidence informed, person centred, safe and compassionate and provide support and care delivered by professional, kind and respectful staff.

Key Criteria 4 - Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice - Weighting 20%

In South Yorkshire there is a population of 1.37 million, 18% of people aged 65 and over, 36.7% of people live in the bottom 20% of most deprived areas nationally. 16.9% belong to an ethnic minority, Prevalence of issues related to obesity and smoking, such as breathing problems, diabetes and heart disease

Provide a service that is accessible to all and makes reasonable adjustments to support those who need them
- Develop the use of data, patient/community engagement and insight, evidence and evaluation to better understand access, experience, barriers and outcomes for specific population groups
- Increased use of analysis, intelligence and sharing of data to inform population health priorities and system prevention initiatives
- Develop organisational education/awareness programmes on reducing health inequalities
- Engage with SY ICB to develop more opportunities VCSE and local authority engagement
-Working in collaboration with people who have lived experience of health services, engaging with NHS England's Strategic Coproduction Group.

Key Criteria 5 - Social Value - Weighting 10%

The provider utilises (where possible) the population from the locailty it is serving, which has increased employment, benefitting the local communty in terms of workforce and patients alike.

The provider has a commitment to reduce energy consumption by 10% in the next 2 years and is looking at electric fleet vehicles.

Current Initiatives in line with the NHS Green Plan

Delivering Net Zero Strategy
NEPTS Fleet conversion to EV underway, currently largest EV fleet of any ambulance service, charging infrastructure within estate to support EV roll out
Investment in local people and communities
Expansive and Award-winning apprenticeship programme
Career development pathways and volunteering programmes across all services
Actively supporting staff Health & Well-being
Investment in local economies
NEPTS Lead Provider sub-contract service model, delivery in partnership with local businesses & VCSE providers.

Procurement Information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 12th March 2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04e8b7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/007554-2025
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
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85143000 - Ambulance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£322,672 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Feb 202511 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
21 Feb 20251 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
NHS SOUTH YORKSHIRE INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
Contact Name
Procurement dep[artment
Contact Email
syicb.procurement@nhs.net
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
SHEFFIELD
Postcode
S1 3FG
Post Town
Sheffield
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLE Yorkshire and The Humber
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLE3 South Yorkshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLE32 Sheffield
Delivery Location
TLE3 South Yorkshire

Local Authority
Sheffield
Electoral Ward
City
Westminster Constituency
Sheffield Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

FIRST 4 CARE LTF

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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