Planning

Provision of Medical Cover for In-patient Wards in Community Hospitals

COUNTY DURHAM AND DARLINGTON NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

30 Jan 2026 at 16:27

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is in the planning stage of a procurement process titled "Provision of Medical Cover for In-patient Wards in Community Hospitals". This contract falls under the services category, specifically community health services (CPV code 85323000). The process aims to secure medical cover for inpatient wards at Sedgefield, Chester-Le-Street, and Shotley Bridge Community Hospitals in the UK. A preliminary market engagement notice was published on 30th January 2026, with key milestone engagement scheduled to be due by 16th February 2026. The contract is set to start on 1st April 2026 and end on 31st March 2027. The process follows the Most Suitable Provider method under the Provider Selection Regime, ensuring the involvement of relevant award decision-makers, including the Associate Director of Operations and the Senior Management Accountant Community Services.

This tender offers significant opportunities for growth, especially for businesses specialising in health services and medical staffing solutions. Given the focus on using GPs to maintain patient safety and discharge flow, organisations with expertise in providing qualified healthcare professionals to support community hospital operations are well-suited to compete. Companies capable of demonstrating a consistent track record in delivering high-quality medical staffing within tight timelines will find this tender particularly beneficial. The projected start of the contract in April 2026 provides ample time for preparatory activities, allowing interested businesses to align their resources and strategic objectives with the requirements of this contract, potentially gaining a foothold in the public health sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Medical Cover for In-patient Wards in Community Hospitals

Notice Description

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust have a requirement for Medical Cover for In-patient Wards at Sedgefield Community Hospital (SCH), Chester-Le-Street Community Hospital (CLS) & Shotley Bridge Community Hospital (SBH). The service is to utilise GPs to maintain patient safety and discharge flow within community wards.

Planning Information

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is intending to follow the Most Suitable Provider process under the Provider Selection Regime to award a contract for Medical Inpatient Cover at Sedgefield Community Hospital (SCH), Chester-Le-Street Community Hospital (CLS) & Shotley Bridge Community Hospital (SBH). The contract title is Provision of Medical Cover for In-patient Wards in Community Hospitals. The reference is 201819_151. Relevant CPV Code is 85323000: Community health services. Award decision makers would be Associate Director of Operations Community Services and Senior Management Accountant.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-061374
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008639-2026
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
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85100000 - Health services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Jan 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
16 Feb 20266 days to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 6-12 months
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
COUNTY DURHAM AND DARLINGTON NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
cddft.procurementsupport@nhs.net
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
DARLINGTON
Postcode
DL3 6HX
Post Town
Darlington
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLC North East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLC3 Tees Valley
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLC33 Darlington
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England)
Local Authority
Darlington
Electoral Ward
Pierremont
Westminster Constituency
Darlington

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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