Planning

Provision of Secure Patient Transport for Mental Health Patients

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE HEALTHCARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

20 Mar 2026 at 13:57

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is commencing the planning stage for the procurement of secure patient transport services for mental health patients. This involves safely transferring individuals experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms between facilities. The trust is located at Highbury Hospital, Nottingham, within the UKF14 region, and aims to initiate further competition under the Dynamic Purchasing System for non-emergency patient transport. The procurement process adheres to an open procedure, with plans to utilise Lot 3 for Mental Health and Secure Transport Services. The planned contract period is from 1st September 2026 to 31st August 2028, with potential extension until 2029. A future notice will be published post-20th April 2026, and the procurement's estimated value is £2,600,000.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in ambulance services, particularly those experienced in mental health support and crisis management. Companies with trained personnel in de-escalation and restraint, bespoke secure vehicles, and robust communication systems are well-suited to compete. The service requirements, including 24/7 availability for urgent, same-day, or pre-planned transport, represent an attractive growth avenue for SMEs able to meet the trust's stringent criteria, offering prospects to enhance operational capabilities within the public sector. For companies in the healthcare transport industry, engaging in this dynamic purchasing system presents an opportunity to widen their service offerings and establish a prominent presence in mental health logistics.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Secure Patient Transport for Mental Health Patients

Notice Description

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have a requirement for Secure Mental Health Patient Transport Services, which involves the safe and appropriate transfer of individuals experiencing acute psychiatric or similar symptoms/crises. This service would include transfers between hospital sites and to and from other facilities depending on the service level need. The service must ensure the safety of the patient, transport staff, and the public. It requires trained personnel skilled in de-escalation and restraint, specialist vehicles with appropriate safety modifications, and the use of physical or procedural controls where necessary, particularly for patients detained under the Mental Health Act. Service requirements should be available 24/7, with journeys being adhoc nature. A robust booking and communication system should be demonstrated. Bookings will be made by our Bed Management team, following the appropriate risk assessment processes. Journeys may be made on an urgent basis (30 mins), standard same day or pre-planned with 24 to 48 hours notice. **Intention is to undertake a further Competition against the Non-Emergency Patient Transport Dynamic Purchasing System - LPP/2017/013** Under Lot 3 - Mental Health and Secure Transport Services.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06706b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025807-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Procurement Type
Dynamic
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services

CPV Codes

85143000 - Ambulance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,600,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Mar 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
20 Apr 20265 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE HEALTHCARE NHS FOUNDATION 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
NOTTINGHAM
Postcode
NG6 9DR
Post Town
Nottingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF14 Nottingham
Delivery Location
TLF14 Nottingham
Local Authority
Nottingham
Electoral Ward
Bulwell Forest
Westminster Constituency
Nottingham North and Kimberley

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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