Planning

The Provision of Drug & Alcohol Prescribing - Criminal Justice Services

NHS WALES SHARED SERVICES PARTNERSHIP-PROCUREMENT SERVICES (HOSTED BY VELINDRE UNIVERSITY NHS TRUST)

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

27 Feb 2026 at 17:05

Summary of the contracting process

The NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership, hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust, is overseeing a procurement process for the provision of drug and alcohol prescribing services within the Swansea Bay area, particularly focusing on the criminal justice system. This initiative falls under the Provider Selection Regime Wales, guided by the Most Suitable Provider Process, and does not adhere to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The planned service will commence on 1st April 2026 and run until 31st March 2027. It aims to deliver rehabilitation services with a contract value of £750,000, providing rapid access to opioid substitution therapy and alcohol treatments under the strict governance of Health Board standards. The Assistant Director of Planning & Partnerships, Mrs Hannah Roan, is responsible for the decision-making process, and communication about future notices is anticipated on 1st April 2026.

This tender presents significant opportunities for organisations specialising in health services, particularly those experienced in clinical drug and alcohol treatment and closely collaborating with the criminal justice system. Businesses capable of delivering same-day prescribing, in line with UK clinical guidelines, will find this contract favourable, especially if they can ensure unwavering continuity of care from custody to community, including during evenings or weekends. The procurement invites involvement from providers able to maintain robust clinical governance and partner effectively with criminal justice entities, making it ideal for specialists in rehabilitation with a focus on public health compliance and harm reduction strategies.

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Notice Title

The Provision of Drug & Alcohol Prescribing - Criminal Justice Services

Notice Description

The Health Board is commissioning an interim clinical drug and alcohol treatment service to support adults in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot who require prescribing interventions, including those within the criminal justice system. The service will deliver safe, evidence-based opioid substitution therapy and alcohol treatment, with rapid clinical assessment and a strong emphasis on same-day or timely prescribing to minimise risk and improve engagement. It will work as part of the wider Alliance model, integrating seamlessly with psychosocial services and supporting continuity of care from custody, court and prison into the community. The provider will be responsible for maintaining robust clinical governance, ensuring compliance with national guidelines, and collaborating closely with criminal justice partners to facilitate effective pathways, reduce harm, and support individuals' recovery goals.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The interim clinical drug and alcohol treatment service will deliver a comprehensive range of prescribing interventions, including stabilisation, reduction, withdrawal, detoxification, relapse prevention, and support towards recovery or abstinence, all in line with UK clinical guidelines and NICE standards. The service is designed for rapid access, aiming for same-day prescribing wherever possible and guaranteeing that waiting times from referral to treatment do not exceed 10 working days, including for those within the criminal justice system. Continuity of care is a priority, ensuring uninterrupted prescribing for individuals released from prison or court, with provision for evening, weekend, and bank holiday coverage. Clinical assessment is mandatory prior to prescribing, and the assessment will follow the individual throughout their recovery journey. The service will support a range of criminal justice pathways, including Drug Testing on Arrest (DToA), Arrest Referral, Drug Rehabilitation Requirement (DRR), Alcohol Treatment Requirement (ATR), and continuity of care following release from prison. Robust clinical governance will be maintained, aligned to Public Health Wales standards, with regular audits, mandatory training, and compliance with all statutory and regulatory frameworks. The provider will work closely with criminal justice partners--such as police, probation, courts, and prison healthcare--to facilitate effective pathways, reduce harm, and support recovery goals. Performance standards include minimum KPIs of prescribing within 10 working days, same-day opioid substitution therapy (OST) availability, and seamless continuity of care for individuals released from prison. The service will exclude individuals with significant unmanaged physical or mental health needs, pregnant women, and those over 80 years old, as these cases will be managed within Community Drug and Alcohol Team (CDAT) services. The service must be provided within the Swansea Bay Footprint. Currently there is only one specialist provider that are able to deliver the Health Boards requirement. Additional information: This will be awarded following the Most Suitable Provider Process. The contract will be for a One Year Duration, from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065edc
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018155-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning 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

85312500 - Rehabilitation services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£750,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Feb 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
31 Mar 20265 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS WALES SHARED SERVICES PARTNERSHIP-PROCUREMENT SERVICES (HOSTED BY VELINDRE UNIVERSITY NHS TRUST)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF15 7QZ
Post Town
Cardiff
Country
Wales

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL51 Central Valleys and Bridgend
Delivery Location
TLL18 Swansea

Local Authority
Rhondda Cynon Taf
Electoral Ward
Taff's Well
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff North

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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