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Interpreting, Communication Support and Transcription Services

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

08 Sep 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F14 - Corrigendum
Tender

04 Sep 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F21 - Social And other Specific Services (Public Contracts)
Summary of the contracting process

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is procuring interpreting, communication support and transcription services for patients, carers, families and healthcare professionals across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lanarkshire. The requirement is divided into seven service areas: face-to-face spoken-language interpreting; British Sign Language interpreting; Deaf Relay Interpreting; International Sign Language interpreting; lip-speaking, note-taking and speech-to-text reporting; telephone and video interpreting; and written translation. Services will support healthcare appointments, clinical interactions, mental health, safeguarding, consent, multidisciplinary meetings, end-of-life care, community visits and patient documentation. The work includes routine, urgent and emergency requirements, with some services delivered in person and others by telephone, secure video conference or remotely where clinically appropriate. The procurement is for services in Scotland.

The procurement has reached tender: NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde invited offers through an open procedure using electronic submission. The submission deadline, amended by one week, is 23 October 2026 at 13:00. It covers seven lots, which suppliers may assess separately against their capabilities. Each lot has an initial two-year contract beginning on 1 April 2027, with an option to extend for up to two further 12-month periods. The service covers both NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lanarkshire. Electronic payment will be used and electronic invoicing is allowed. Bids must be submitted in English. Community benefits form part of the requirement, with bidders expected to propose benefits or confirm engagement with NHS Scotland’s Community Benefits Gateway.

This opportunity suits specialist language-service providers, interpreting agencies and communication-support organisations able to deliver safely and confidentially in healthcare settings. Relevant capability includes broad spoken-language and dialect coverage, professionally qualified British Sign Language and International Sign interpreters, Deaf Relay Interpreters who are Deaf professionals, and experienced lip-speaking, note-taking and speech-to-text staff. Suppliers may also need reliable telephone and secure video-interpreting platforms, and the capacity to translate patient information, records, clinical documents, letters and guidance materials. The requirement favours providers able to respond across routine, urgent and emergency care, including core and out-of-hours services, while maintaining person-centred practice and equitable access. Experience supporting sensitive clinical and safeguarding interactions will be particularly relevant, alongside the ability to deliver community benefits or work through the NHS Scotland Community Benefits Gateway.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Interpreting, Communication Support and Transcription Services

Notice Description

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde requires the delivery of a comprehensive interpreting service to support the current and future needs of the Health Board.

Lot Information

Spoken Language Face to Face Interpreting (NHSGGC & NHSL)

Lot 1 covers the provision of comprehensive spoken face to face interpreting (simultaneous, consecutive and whispered interpreting) where an interpreter attends in person and conveys the spoken content from English into a wide range of spoken languages and dialects and from those languages and dialects into English or any other languages as requested by the Board. Services under this lot include- Provision of face to face interpreters at health appointments across the services outlined in the introduction section of this document (page 1) within both NHSGGC and NHS Lanarkshire Interpreting support for informational and therapeutic group sessions Delivery of services both during standard hours out of hours, to meet the capacity from the in house interpreting service team. The initial term of the contract is 2 years commencing 1st April 2027 with the option to extend for a maximum of 2 x 12 month periods.

British Sign Language Interpreting (NHSGGC & NHSL)

Lot 2 covers the provision of British Sign Language interpretation, where the meaning of spoken English is conveyed into BSL and vice versa by an interpreter attending in person. The services included under this lot are - Provision of professionally qualified BSL interpreters to attend healthcare appointments and clinical interactions in person. Services will support communication between deaf BSL users and NHS staff across all healthcare environments. The service will include: Mental health services Safeguarding meetings Consent discussions Multi-disciplinary team meetings End of life care Community visits. The initial term of the contract is 2 years commencing 1st April 2027 with the option to extend for a maximum of 2 x 12 month periods.

Deaf Relay Interpreting (NHSGGC & NHSL)

Lot 3 covers the provision of Deaf Relay Interpreting services for deaf individuals whose communication needs cannot be fully met through a standard BSL/English interpreter alone. Deaf Relay Interpreters are Deaf professionals who provide specialist communication support to ensure that information is conveyed accurately, accessibly and in a culturally appropriate manner.. The initial term of the contract is 2 years commencing 1st April 2027 with the option to extend for a maximum of 2 x 12 month periods.

International Sign Language

Lot 4 covers the provision of International Sign Language interpretation, where the meaning of spoken language is conveyed into spoken or signed form by an interpreter attending in person. International Sign Language is intended for deaf individuals who do not use British Sign Language and may have limited proficiency in their own sign language. Services included under this lot are Provision of International Sign Language interpreters for health appointments across the services outlined in the introduction section of this document, covering both NHSGGC and NHS Lanarkshire Provision of professional International Sign communication services that enable effective communication between deaf patients, carers, families, visitors and healthcare professionals where British Sign Language (BSL) is not the individual's primary signed language. Provision of appropriately qualified International Sign interpreters to facilitate communication for deaf individuals from overseas or those whose preferred method of communication is International Sign. Availability of the service during both core and out-of-hours periods to accommodate any additional demand beyond the capacity of the in-house interpreting service. The initial term of the contract is 2 years commencing 1st April 2027 with the option to extend for a maximum of 2 x 12 month periods.

Lip Speaking, Note-takers and speech to text reporters (NHSGGC and NHSL)

Lot 5 covers the provision of lip-speaking, note-taking and speech-to-text reporting services for patients, carers and service users with hearing loss or other communication support needs. The service transfers spoken English into clear spoken, written or real-time text English by an appropriately qualified communication support professional attending in person, or remotely where agreed by NHSGGC or NHS Lanarkshire and clinically appropriate. The service supports equitable access to healthcare by enabling effective communication between patients, carers, families and healthcare professionals across NHSGGC and NHS Lanarkshire. The supplier must deliver a safe, responsive, confidential and person-centred service that supports routine, urgent and emergency care requirements.. The initial term of the contract is 2 years commencing 1st April 2027 with the option to extend for a maximum of 2 x 12 month periods.

Telephone Interpreting & Video Interpreting Services (NHSGGC & NHSL)

Lot 6 covers the provision of consecutive interpreting services delivered via telephone or video conferencing. Telephone and video interpreters facilitate communication by converting spoken language from one language to another, allowing both parties to understand each other effectively. The successful supplier will provide professional consecutive interpreting services via telephone and secure video conferencing platforms that facilitate effective communication between patients, carers, families and healthcare professionals, ensuring equitable access to healthcare services and compliance with statutory obligations.. The initial term of the contract is 2 years commencing 1st April 2027 with the option to extend for a maximum of 2 x 12 month periods.

Written Translation (NHSGGC & NHSL)

Lot 7 includes the provision of written translation services from English into the patient's requested language, as well as from those languages into English or other languages. Translation involves converting written documents into another language in text form. Services provided under this lot include the translation and transcription of patient information, patient records, clinical documents, patient letters, and guidance materials.. The initial term of the contract is 2 years commencing 1st April 2027 with the option to extend for a maximum of 2 x 12 month periods.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000842040
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP564055
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F14 - Corrigendum
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

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79540000 - Interpretation services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
16 Oct 20261 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G4 0SF
Postcode Area
Glasgow
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
TLM82 Glasgow City
Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Dennistoun
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North East

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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