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Orthopaedic Procedures

NHS Borders

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

17 Aug 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F15 - Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

NHS Borders procured healthcare services comprising approximately 50 orthopaedic procedures to support waiting-time recovery. The purpose was to provide additional treatment capacity during pressure on orthopaedic services, reduce patient waiting times and support elective recovery while longer-term arrangements were considered. The service is an interim, short-term clinical provision rather than an ongoing outsourced service. Delivery is associated with Spire Newcastle Hospital in Newcastle. NHS Borders is the buying organisation, with the requirement focused on specialist orthopaedic treatment delivered in a hospital setting. The procurement is classified under CPV 85121283, Medical specialist services, and falls within the services category. It is relevant to independent hospitals, orthopaedic providers and healthcare organisations able to deliver elective procedures safely at additional capacity.

The procurement is complete and has been awarded to Spire Ltd, described in the requirement as Spire Healthcare Newcastle or Spire Newcastle Hospital. The contract covers one lot, with no options, and the contract was signed on 17 August 2026. Its stated duration is seven months. The contract value is £250,000. NHS Borders used a limited procedure: an award without prior publication of a call for competition. The stated justification was immediate orthopaedic capacity constraints and the time needed for a competitive exercise, with the arrangement limited to the minimum scope and duration required. Spire Newcastle was assessed as able to mobilise within the required timescale and meet the Board’s clinical and operational requirements. The procurement status is complete and the contract status is active.

This award demonstrates demand from NHS Borders for additional orthopaedic treatment capacity to address waiting-list pressure. A credible future competitor would need hospital-based clinical infrastructure, appropriate governance arrangements and specialist orthopaedic expertise, together with the operational capacity to mobilise quickly and deliver elective procedures safely. Providers would need to demonstrate that they can meet the Board’s clinical and operational requirements while maintaining continuity and quality of patient care. The requirement favours organisations with established facilities, suitably qualified clinical teams, robust governance and the ability to absorb additional activity without compromising normal services. Healthcare groups, independent hospitals and specialist orthopaedic providers with experience supporting elective recovery are the closest commercial fit for this buyer’s requirement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Orthopaedic Procedures

Notice Description

NHS Borders intends to award a short-term contract to Spire Healthcare Newcastle for the provision of approximately 50 orthopaedic procedures to support waiting time recovery. The award is intended as an interim measure to address immediate capacity pressures and reduce patient waiting times while longer-term options are considered. NHS Borders considers that the proposed provider is uniquely positioned to mobilise the service within the required timescales and meet the clinical and operational requirements of the Board.

Lot Information

Lot 1

NHS Borders intends to award a short-term contract to Spire Healthcare Newcastle for the provision of approximately 50 orthopaedic procedures to support waiting time recovery. The award is intended as an interim measure to address immediate capacity pressures and reduce patient waiting times while longer-term options are considered. NHS Borders considers that the proposed provider is uniquely positioned to mobilise the service within the required timescales and meet the clinical and operational requirements of the Board.

Procurement Information

NHS Borders intends to award a short-term contract to Spire Healthcare Limited (Spire Newcastle Hospital) for the provision of approximately 50 orthopaedic procedures over a seven-month period. NHS Borders is currently experiencing capacity constraints within orthopaedic services, resulting in increased patient waiting times and challenges in delivering elective recovery activity. Additional treatment capacity has been identified as necessary to support timely patient access to care and reduce waiting list pressures. The proposed contract is a temporary and time-limited arrangement intended to address an immediate service need whilst the Board reviews longer-term service and procurement requirements. It is not intended to establish an ongoing outsourced service. NHS Borders considered a range of options, including delivery through existing internal capacity and undertaking a competitive procurement exercise. Existing capacity is insufficient to deliver the required volume of procedures within the timescales necessary to support waiting time recovery objectives. Whilst a competitive process would ordinarily be undertaken, the timescales associated with such an exercise would delay implementation of the additional capacity required. Following an assessment of available options, Spire Newcastle Hospital was identified as a provider capable of delivering the required activity within the required timeframe. The provider has the necessary clinical infrastructure, governance arrangements, specialist expertise and operational capacity to undertake the procedures safely and effectively. NHS Borders considers the proposed direct award to be a proportionate response to an immediate capacity challenge and necessary to support continuity of patient care and reduce the risk of further delays to treatment. The requirement is limited to the minimum scope and duration necessary to address the immediate need.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000840330
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG562453
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F15 - Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency 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

85121283 - Orthopaedic services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£250,000 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
17 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
17 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS Borders
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MELROSE
Postcode
TD6 9BS
Postcode Area
Galashiels
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM9 Southern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM91 Scottish Borders
Delivery Location
TLM91 Scottish Borders
Local Authority
Scottish Borders
Electoral Ward
Leaderdale and Melrose
Westminster Constituency
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Spire Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG562453
    Orthopaedic Procedures - NHS Borders intends to award a short-term contract to Spire Healthcare Newcastle for the provision of approximately 50 orthopaedic procedures to support waiting time recovery. The award is intended as an interim measure to address immediate capacity pressures and reduce patient waiting times while longer-term options are considered. NHS Borders considers that the proposed provider is uniquely positioned to mobilise the service within the required timescales and meet the clinical and operational requirements of the Board.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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