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Complex Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) Services across the South East

NHS Thames Valley Integrated Care Board (ICB)

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

12 Aug 2026 at 11:41

Tender Notice
Planning

20 May 2026 at 09:52

Planning Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NHS Thames Valley Integrated Care Board is procuring specialist complex termination of pregnancy services across the South East, covering Kent and Medway, Surrey and Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and Thames Valley. The successful provider will act as the regional network lead centre, or Hub, for patients requiring medical or surgical care up to 23 weeks and six days’ gestation. Responsibilities include hosting a single point of access for referrals, leading the regional multidisciplinary team, coordinating NHS and independent providers, providing clinical governance and quality oversight, and delivering regional training, data collection, audit and outcome reporting. The service includes pre-, peri- and post-procedure care, counselling, anaesthetic support, bereavement care, and access to theatres, diagnostics, blood products, critical care and relevant specialties. This is a specialist healthcare services opportunity.

The procurement has reached tender: the buyer invited offers through an open procedure under the Provider Selection Regime. There is one regional Hub lot, with electronic submissions required by 12 noon on 2 October 2026; evaluation is scheduled to begin at 12:01 pm that day, with bids opened at the same time. The initial contract period is five years, or 60 months, with an optional two-year extension. The total estimated value is £1,344,000 over seven years. This comprises training funding of £128,000 per year (£640,000 over five years and £896,000 over seven), network funding of £64,000 per year (£320,000 and £448,000), and total funding of £192,000 per year (£960,000 and £1,344,000). Activity payments are retrospective. Selection considers suitability, technical and economic criteria, with no variants allowed.

This opportunity suits an established NHS Trust, foundation trust or other legally constituted healthcare provider able to hold NHS contracts and deliver complex, late-gestation care at regional scale. The provider must be CQC-registered for termination of pregnancy and maintain appropriate insurance, indemnity, financial stability and organisational governance. It needs consultant-level clinical leadership and a multidisciplinary team covering fetal medicine, obstetrics, anaesthetics, nursing and midwifery, bereavement support, psychology or counselling, pathology, safeguarding and social care liaison. The service requires appropriately registered and revalidated clinicians, including GMC, NMC and relevant HCPC or professional-body registration. Strong providers will have access to theatres, diagnostics, blood products and critical care, and experience of clinical governance, MDT review, audit, incident learning, statutory abortion reporting, safeguarding, confidentiality, data submission and regional workforce training.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Complex Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) Services across the South East

Notice Description

NHS Thames Valley (TV) Integrated Care Board (ICB), (the Commissioner) is seeking suitable providers who have the capability and capacity to deliver Complex Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) service, in line with the specified requirements, in the capacity of the Regional Network Lead Provider (Hub) responsible for the delivery, coordination and clinical governance of CTOP pathways across the South East region. For the remainder of this document this will be referred to as the: Complex Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) service. The Hub will deliver specialist medical and surgical termination of pregnancy care up to 23 + 6 weeks' gestation. The Hub will also host the regional Single Point of Access (SPOA) and Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), lead on regional training and governance across providers. (NHS and Independent Sector Providers (ISP) where there are interdependencies/interfaces with NHS services). Alongside the coordination of the network of NHS providers across the South East to ensure equitable, safe, and high-quality CTOP care. The service specification can be found at https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/1834-Service-Specification-final.pdf Please also see the CTOP Service Model document hosted within the e-procurement system (Atamis) for a full description of the anticipated CTOP service across the South East. The contract will be for an initial duration of 5 years (60 months) with an optional extension of 2 years (2 x 12 months). Training Funding: PS128,000 per year 5 year total: PS640,000 7 year total (including the optional 2 year extension (5 years + 2 years)): PS896,000 Network Funding: PS64,000 per year 5 year total: PS320,000 7 year total (including the optional 2 year extension (5 years + 2 years)): PS448,000 Final Total: PS192,000 per year 5 year total: PS960,000 7 year total (including the optional 2 year extension (5 years + 2 years)): PS1,344,000 Activity funding will be paid for retrospectively based on the data collected centrally by the SPOA. The Commissioner is of the view that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 2006 do not apply. However, bidders must undertake their own independent assessment of TUPE applicability. All ITT responses must be returned by 12 noon on 2nd October 2026, at the latest. Interested providers will be able to view this notice via the 'Live Opportunities' list on the e-procurement system, Atamis, available on the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner. SCW is currently subject to restructuring, and the management of this exercise may therefore move to a successor at some point during the process. Participants will be informed of any such change, and any administrative changes because of it.

Lot Information

Lot 1

NHS Thames Valley (TV) Integrated Care Board (ICB), (the Commissioner) is seeking suitable providers who have the capability and capacity to deliver Complex Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) service, in line with the specified requirements, in the capacity of the Regional Network Lead Provider (Hub) responsible for the delivery, coordination and clinical governance of CTOP pathways across the South East region. For the remainder of this document this will be referred to as the: Complex Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) service. The Hub will deliver specialist medical and surgical termination of pregnancy care up to 23 + 6 weeks' gestation. The Hub will also host the regional Single Point of Access (SPOA) and Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), lead on regional training and governance across providers. (NHS and Independent Sector Providers (ISP) where there are interdependencies/interfaces with NHS services). Alongside the coordination of the network of NHS providers across the South East to ensure equitable, safe, and high-quality CTOP care. The service specification can be found at https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/1834-Service-Specification-final.pdf Please also see the CTOP Service Model document hosted within the e-procurement system (Atamis) for a full description of the anticipated CTOP service across the South East. The procurement will establish one Regional Lead Centre (Hub) responsible for: * Hosting the Single Point of Access (SPOA) for all CTOP referrals in the South East. * Leading the Regional Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) to review, triage, and allocate cases across the network. * Delivering direct clinical care for patients requiring both medical and surgical terminations up to 23 + 6 weeks' gestation. * Providing clinical governance and quality oversight for all Network Member Providers (Spokes). * Leading the training, upskilling, and maintenance-of-skills programme for the regional CTOP workforce, in line with the national CTOP service specification. * Coordinating regional data collection, audit, outcome reporting, and shared learning to ensure consistent standards of care across the South East. Background: The national Complex Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP) service was established following publication of the NHS England Service Specification (2021) to ensure that patients with significant co-morbidities or medical complications requiring termination of pregnancy receive care in appropriately equipped NHS hospitals with access to multidisciplinary teams, diagnostics, surgical facilities, critical care, and blood transfusion services. Currently, provision within the South East is variable. While several NHS Trusts provide elements of the service, there is no formally commissioned or coordinated regional network. The absence of a lead centre and a standardised referral pathway has resulted in patients travelling long distances to receive care in other regions, and in inconsistent access to clinical expertise, workforce resilience, and quality oversight. This procurement seeks to address those inequities by establishing a Regional CTOP Hub-and-Network model, ensuring that every patient in the South East region can access safe, timely, and locally coordinated care. Service Model Overview The Regional Lead Provider (Hub) will: * Operate as the central coordination point for all CTOP referrals via a Single Point of Access (SPOA). * Host the regional CTOP MDT, bringing together consultants in obstetrics, gynaecology, anaesthesia, fetal medicine, maternal medicine, nursing/midwifery, radiology, pathology, and bereavement support to agree appropriate care pathways for each case. * Deliver both medical and surgical CTOP procedures up to 23 + 6 weeks' gestation for eligible patients. * Support Network Member Providers in delivering CTOP services within lower gestational limits (e.g. up to 13 + 6 or 19 + 6 weeks), providing clinical advice, escalation pathways, and governance oversight. * Provide clinical and operational leadership for the South East CTOP Network, ensuring alignment with national standards and the NHS England CTOP specification. * Lead the regional training programme to build and sustain CTOP workforce capability across the network. * Undertake regional data collection, analysis, and submission to NHS England, including audit of outcomes, equity of access, and quality indicators. The network model will be designed to ensure consistent governance, integrated clinical pathways, and robust quality assurance. The Hub will be responsible for convening network meetings, facilitating shared learning, maintaining the risk register, and reporting performance and compliance to commissioners. Scope of Services: The procured service will include, but not be limited to: * Provision of specialist medical and surgical termination of pregnancy services up to 23 + 6 weeks. * Access to on-site or formalised arrangements for theatres, diagnostics, blood products, critical care, and other relevant specialities. * Delivery of pre-, peri-, and post-procedure care, including counselling, anaesthetic support, and bereavement care. * Implementation of robust clinical governance and audit processes across the network. * Participation in national reporting and assurance processes, including the Abortion Notification System and NHS Maternity Services Dataset. * Leadership of regional training and competency maintenance, in line with the national CTOP service specification. * Ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation, including the Abortion Act 1967, Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, Equality Act 2010, and NHS England's Health Inequalities Improvement Framework. Expected Outcomes: The procurement will ensure: * Equitable access to complex termination services across all South East ICB areas. * Reduction in patient travel outside of region for late-gestation or complex procedures. * Consistent standards of clinical governance and safety across all providers. * Development of a sustainable regional workforce with maintained surgical and medical CTOP skills. * Improved quality, data visibility, and outcomes monitoring through a coordinated network model. Geographical Coverage: The procurement covers the South East Region, including the following NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) areas: * Kent and Medway * Surrey and Sussex * Hampshire and Isle of Wight * Thames Valley The Hub will be expected to operate as a regional coordination centre, serving patients from across all four ICBs Contract and Procurement Details: The contract will be for an initial duration of 5 years (60 months) with an optional extension of 2 years (2 x 12 months). The Commissioner is of the view that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 2006 do not apply. However, bidders must undertake their own independent assessment of TUPE applicability. This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner. SCW is currently subject to restructuring, and the management of this exercise may therefore move to a successor at some point during the process. Participants will be informed of any such change, and any administrative changes because of it. Additional information: Interested providers will be able to view this opportunity via the live opportunities list on the 'Health Family' e-procurement system, Atamis. Click on 'View our Live Opportunities' from the home page, available on the following link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome. Once you have found the opportunity (via the search function, using the title or reference number), to gain full access to the bid documentation (including questionnaires), you will need to click on 'Register interest' - this will take you to the log-in page. If you are not already registered on the system, you will need to do so before gaining full access to the documentation and be able to submit a bid. This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to 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 to this award.

Options: The contract will be for an initial duration of 5 years (60 months) with an optional extension of 2 years (2 x 12 months).

Renewal: Subject to renewal at the end of the initial term/optional extension period.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069cb1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/076653-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
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

85111100 - Surgical hospital services

85111200 - Medical hospital services

85111300 - Gynaecological hospital services

85121210 - Gyneacologic or obstetric services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,344,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,344,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Aug 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
2 Oct 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
6 Jul 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Re-procurement process following initial term/optional extension period.

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS Thames Valley Integrated Care Board (ICB)
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
COWLEY
Postcode
OX4 2PG
Postcode Area
Oxford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ14 Oxfordshire CC
Delivery Location
TLJ South East (England)
Local Authority
Oxford
Electoral Ward
Blackbird Leys
Westminster Constituency
Oxford East

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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