Award

NHS Talking Therapies and Psychological Therapies for Severe Mental Health Problems

NHS MID AND SOUTH ESSEX INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

28 Aug 2025 at 13:51

Award

30 Jul 2025 at 18:26

Summary of the contracting process

On 28th August 2025, NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board issued a tender update for the provision of NHS Talking Therapies and Psychological Therapies for Severe Mental Health Problems. This public procurement is classified under community health services and is aimed at delivering essential mental health support services. The contract period spans from 1st August 2025 to 31st March 2026, and takes place in the Mid and South Essex region, United Kingdom. Key dates include an earlier award on 30th July 2025 for urgent circumstances due to the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). The procurement method involved a limited procedure, awarding the contract without prior publication of a call for competition, ensuring continuity of care and immediate service provision without service gaps.

This procurement presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in healthcare services, particularly those with expertise in mental health care provision. The tender focuses on delivering services through face-to-face, online, and telephone consultations, targeting individuals with mild to moderate mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Companies with established infrastructure, workforce, and clinical expertise will be well-positioned to benefit from this contract and contribute to improved mental health outcomes in the Essex region. Organisations delivering innovative and evidence-based therapeutic interventions can significantly grow their business while addressing urgent care needs in the community. Business growth can be realised by providing timely access to professional support, enhancing service quality, and potentially expanding service offerings aligned with NHS requirements.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

NHS Talking Therapies and Psychological Therapies for Severe Mental Health Problems

Notice Description

Following the publication of the Urgent Award Notice under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (Notice Number: 2025/S 000-044515 | Notice Reference: 2025-046178) the Authority issues this Corrigendum Notice to correct a typo in the contract date. The correct date of the contract should read: from 01st August 2025 - 31st March 2026.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Urgent award notice under the Provider Selection Regime 2023 for the provision of NHS Talking Therapies and Psychological Therapies for Severe Mental Health Problems Services for NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (herein referred to as 'the Authority'). The awarded contract is for the provision of NHS Talking Therapies and Psychological Therapies for Severe Mental Health Problems Services, that are aimed at improving mental health outcomes by providing evidence-based therapeutic interventions. The services will be delivered through a combination of face-to-face, online, and telephone consultations. It will cater to individuals experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, ensuring timely access to professional support. This contract is being awarded on an urgent basis due to the Competitive Process being under Review, necessitating the continuation of services with the current provider to avoid disruption. A delay in awarding this contract through standard procurement routes would have led to a service gap, negatively impacting service users by increasing waiting times and deteriorating mental health conditions. Due to urgent circumstances, the Authority has awarded a 8 month contract to incumbent provider: Vita Health Group The contract period is for a total of 8 months from 01st August 2025 - 31st March 2025. The total aggregate contract value is estimated at PS2,915,730.00

Procurement Information

This contract has been awarded under the urgent circumstances provision of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). This contract has been awarded under 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 in this award. Rationale as to why this provider has been awarded: In line with the guidance for exemptions in urgent situations under the Public Contracts Regulations (PSR), the current provider has been awarded the contract due to the following reasons: *Continuity of Care: The current provider has established relationships with service users, ensuring seamless care and avoiding disruption that could arise from transitioning to a new provider. *Immediate Capacity and Expertise: The provider possesses the necessary infrastructure, workforce, and clinical expertise to continue delivering services without requiring additional mobilisation time. *Avoidance of Service Gap: Appointing a new provider would require a significant transition period, during which service users could experience delays or a temporary lack of access to critical mental health support. *Compliance with Urgent Procurement Regulations: this urgent award is justified as the ICB has identified extreme urgency that prevents the implementation of a competitive tender process to cover the service provision. The abandoned MSP procurement process has necessitated this approach to protect patient care, whilst a competitive procurement approach is being undertaken by the Authority to identify the most suitable and capable provider in order to award a single contract for these services. Proposed review date to conduct a full application of the PSR for that service: N/A as the Authority is undergoing a competitive procurement process to determine the most technically capable provider to award these services.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05699c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/052048-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender 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

85323000 - Community health services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£2,915,730 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Aug 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
29 Jul 20254 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
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 MID AND SOUTH ESSEX INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
cariad.burgess@attain.co.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BASILDON
Postcode
SS14 3HG
Post Town
Southend-on-Sea
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH37 Essex Thames Gateway
Delivery Location
TLH3 Essex

Local Authority
Basildon
Electoral Ward
Fryerns
Westminster Constituency
Basildon and Billericay

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

VITA HEALTH GROUP

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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