Planning

Countywide Discharge to Assess - bed based residential/nursing services

SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

12 Jan 2026 at 07:58

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Suffolk County Council is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "Countywide Discharge to Assess - bed based residential/nursing services." This falls under the Health and Social Work Services category and aims to serve the UKH14 region, particularly within Ipswich and its surrounding areas. Key dates include an upcoming market engagement webinar scheduled for the 3rd of February 2026, with registration required by 23rd January 2026. The process is focused on exploring the provision of residential and nursing services to aid in timely hospital discharges and subsequent assessments outside of acute hospital environments. The procurement process will include multiple lots, with Lot 1 servicing the Ipswich & East Locality and Lot 2 covering the West Locality, both available for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to tender.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in healthcare and social services, particularly those that can provide integrated and person-centred care solutions. Companies providing nursing and residential care services could benefit from long-term contracts, increasing their market presence and potential future earnings. The procurement seeks to collaborate with providers capable of supporting faster recovery, preventing acute admissions, and promoting independent living. Businesses that excel in offering customised care, are suitably located, and can provide a holistic approach to care assessments would be well-positioned to compete for these contracts. Additionally, SMEs are encouraged to participate, especially those that align with the tender's requirements for service proximity and capacity.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Countywide Discharge to Assess - bed based residential/nursing services

Notice Description

Suffolk County Council wish to undertake Market Engagement to explore the provision of bed-based residential and nursing services to provide timely discharge for adults from hospital as part of the Discharge to Assess model. This discharge route is for adults who are likely to need a further period of assessment for a short period of time with a focus on therapeutic and reablement input. This will move life changing care decisions outside of the acute hospital environment, allowing time for adults and their families to make informed decisions and reach long term plans. Providers would be expected to support adults to achieve their goals using an asset-based approach, which leads to an increase of independence and self-care. There should be an integrated response with both health and social care assessments providing a holistic approach during the assessment period This model is about partnerships between individuals and organisations to ensure that services are person centred, promote faster recovery from illness, prevent unnecessary acute hospital admission, support timely discharge, and maximise independent living. Lot 1 - The service provision for The Ipswich & East Locality is for nursing and residential placements with a minimum of 30 beds in one location and be no further than 15 miles/no longer than 30 minutes from Ipswich Hospital Acute Trust. Lot 2 - The service provision for the West Locality is for care home nursing and residential placements of a maximum of 15 beds located across the West Area to maximin coverage. Up to a maximum of 5 providers covering 4 areas.

Planning Information

A webinar will be held on 03rd February 2026 for care providers offering accommodation-based nursing and residential care services in Suffolk. The purpose of the webinar is to outline the service requirements. Register for the webinar by emailing ipswichandeastsccm@suffolk.gov.uk by 23 January 2026

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060356
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002088-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85000000 - Health and social work services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,400,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Jan 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
6 Feb 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Aug 2026 - 7 Aug 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
ipswichandeastsccm@suffolk.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
IPSWICH
Postcode
IP1 2BX
Post Town
Ipswich
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH6 Suffolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH62 Ipswich
Delivery Location
TLH14 Suffolk CC
Local Authority
Ipswich
Electoral Ward
Gipping
Westminster Constituency
Ipswich

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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