Mental Health Practitioners in PCN's and SMI Health Checks

NHS ESSEX INTEGRATED CARE BOARD

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

19 Jun 2026 at 07:21

Award

08 Jun 2026 at 12:18

Summary of the contracting process

The NHS Essex Integrated Care Board, acting as the buying organisation, has awarded a contract for the provision of Mental Health Practitioners in Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and Severe Mental Illness Physical Health Checks services. The contract has been awarded to Vita Health Group through a Direct Award Process C under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. This procurement falls under the services category and is aimed at supporting adults with complex mental health needs, ensuring they receive comprehensive, personalised care. Based in Chelmsford, United Kingdom, the contract period runs from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027, with an option to extend for an additional year. The total contract value amounts to £1,455,464, which covers both the provision of mental health practitioners and SMI health checks.

This procurement offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in mental health and community health services, particularly those experienced in delivering services within primary care networks. Given the substantial contract value and the potential for a contract extension, this tender presents a steady and secure business opportunity for the selected provider. Companies with expertise in delivering trauma-informed care, psychological support, and medicine management could leverage this opportunity to expand their service offerings. The collaboration with local NHS services also opens pathways for partnerships, fostering growth and enhancing service delivery through integrated healthcare solutions in the region.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Mental Health Practitioners in PCN's and SMI Health Checks

Notice Description

NHS Essex Integrated Care Board (the Authority) has awarded a award a contract for the provision of Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs) in Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and Severe Mental Illness (SMI) Physical Health Check services to the existing provider, Vita Health Group, following Direct Award Process C under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. NHS Essex Integrated Care Board, acting as the Relevant Authority, is commissioning these services to support adults with complex mental health needs who are not suitable for Talking Therapies, providing access to a range of interventions including personalised and trauma-informed care, psychological support, medicines management, and coordinated care. The SMI service ensures individuals receive an annual physical health check, appropriate follow-up, and access to interventions to improve their physical health outcomes.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Authority intends to award this contract via Direct Award Process C under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Procurement Act 2023 do not apply. NHS Essex Integrated Care Board is the Relevant Authority undertaking this process. The services comprise the provision of Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs) within Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and Severe Mental Illness (SMI) Physical Health Check services. These services support adults with complex mental health needs who are not suitable for Talking Therapies provision, delivering a range of interventions including personalised and trauma-informed care, psychological support, medicines management and coordinated care. The SMI service ensures that individuals with severe mental illness receive an annual physical health check, appropriate follow-up, and access to interventions to improve physical health outcomes. The provider is an existing provider of these services to NHS Essex Integrated Care Board and has demonstrated their ability to deliver the services to the required standard, following assessment against the five key Provider Selection Regime criteria. The contract period is from 01 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 with an option to extend for a further 12 months. The total contract value for the 2026/27 and 27/28 financial year is PS727,732.00, comprising PS116,672.00 for SMI services and PS611,060.00 for MHP services. The aggregate value is PS1,455,464.00 The value is activity-dependent and may vary over the contract term.

Procurement Information

This is a Direct Award Process C intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 and Procurement Act do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by midnight Thursday 18th June 2026. The contract has not yet formally been awarded, this notice serves as an intention to award under PSR. The Authority has undertaken an appropriate and proportionate review of declarations and is satisfied that effective arrangements are in place to identify and manage any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest. Where relevant, mitigation measures have been applied to ensure that no conflict is capable of conferring any undue advantage or disadvantage. On this basis, the Authority is satisfied that no conflict of interest has adversely affected, or is capable of adversely affecting, the integrity of the procurement. On this basis, the Authority is satisfied that no conflict of interest has adversely affected, or is capable of a] All five key criteria were utilised in determining the suitability and continuation of the provider. The criteria were applied with equal weighting, comprising: Quality and Innovation (20%) - The provider is currently delivering the existing contract and is satisfying the requirements of the service. Assessment against the specified criteria demonstrated that the provider meets the required standards, and it is expected that they will continue to deliver the service to a satisfactory standard under the new contract. Value (20%) - The provider has been assessed against the specified criteria and has demonstrated their ability to deliver the service in line with the current service delivery model and performance expectations. The contract value reflects an activity-based model, ensuring that payment aligns with the level of service delivered. Integration, Collaboration and Service Sustainability (20%) - The provider is an existing provider of Mental Health Practitioners in PCNs and SMI Health Checks services and is currently embedded within the system. Their continued delivery supports service continuity and integration across primary care and wider system partners, based on the established delivery model and performance. Improving Access, Reducing Health Inequalities and Facilitating Choice (20%) - The service provides access to a wide range of interventions, including personalised and trauma-informed care, psychological therapies, physical health checks, and medicine management. The SMI Health Checks element ensures that individuals with severe mental illness receive annual physical health checks, follow-up care, and support to access relevant interventions, improving access and addressing health inequalities. Social Value (20%) - The provider contributes to social value through partnership working across a range of statutory and non-statutory organisations, including NHS community services and primary care, which supports improved access to services. In addition, the provider utilises a local workforce, including both employed staff and volunteers, thereby contributing to the economic and social wellbeing of the local area. The assessment confirmed the provider is currently delivering the existing contract and is satisfying the requirements of the service. Assessment against the specified criteria demonstrated that the provider meets the required standards, and it is expected that they will continue to deliver the service to a satisfactory standard under the new contract.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06afb7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057816-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85323000 - Community health services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£1,455,464 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Jun 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
9 Feb 20264 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS ESSEX INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CHELMSFORD , ESSEX
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
TLH3 Essex

Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

VITA HEALTH GROUP

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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