--- title: "Independent NHS Complaints Advocacy" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-92d95121-162c-4871-b5fd-438e5b6dd19f" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-92d95121-162c-4871-b5fd-438e5b6dd19f" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-92d95121-162c-4871-b5fd-438e5b6dd19f.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-92d95121-162c-4871-b5fd-438e5b6dd19f.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL" published: "2022-12-19" --- # Independent NHS Complaints Advocacy Buyer: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-b5fd17-92d95121-162c-4871-b5fd-438e5b6dd19f [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-92d95121-162c-4871-b5fd-438e5b6dd19f) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-92d95121-162c-4871-b5fd-438e5b6dd19f.json) ## Summary The Durham County Council has awarded a contract worth £315,000 to Carers Federation Ltd for the provision of Independent NHS Complaints Advocacy services in County Durham. The contract period is from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2026. The procurement method used was an open procedure, with the tender closing on November 17, 2022. This opportunity falls under the category of Health and social work services and is aimed at supporting SMEs. This tender for Independent NHS Complaints Advocacy services by Durham County Council presents business growth opportunities for companies specialised in providing health and social work services. The contract value is £315,000 over a three-year period, starting in April 2023. SMEs in the health services industry can leverage their expertise to compete for this contract and contribute to bridging gaps in NHS complaints handling processes in County Durham. ## Notice The Independent NHS Complaints Advocacy Service in County Durham is provided in two parts: * Level 1 - Information and Advice: to include signposting, self-help, core office functions and marketing * Level 2 - Direct Advocacy provision. Where a Service User needs the assistance of a qualified Advocate to help them to make their complaint Since April 2013, Local Authorities have had a statutory duty to commission independent advocacy services to provide support in order for people to make a complaint about their NHS care or treatment. NHS Complaints advocacy is a specialist service which supports people who are considering, or wishing to make a complaint about the health services they receive. It bridges gaps between people and services, giving people the confidence, skills and power to raise concerns and let health services know when things have gone wrong. In this context advocacy can help people to have their concerns aired and considered before they make a formal complaint. The need for NHS complaints advocacy has developed as many people find it difficult to raise a concern or make a complaint, especially in cases where they are receiving on-going support from the services they wish to complain about. Others find the complaints handling process confusing and complex and need reassurance and practical support to navigate their way through. The Council believes that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) applies to this contract. The tender documents can be accessed free of charge at www.nepo.org utilising reference DN635145 Additional information: Tender Documents can be accessed free of charge at www.nepo.org utilising reference number DN635145 ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d31649f0-0375-49a4-88a6-a3b8c22ba599 | | Notice type | Award Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Large | | All stages | Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 19 Dec 2022 | | Submission deadline | 17 Nov 2022 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 19 Dec 2022 | | Contract period | 31 Mar 2023 - 31 Mar 2026 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £325,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | £315,000 | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL | | Locality | DURHAM | | Post town | Durham | | Postcode | DH1 5UG | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear | | ITL 3 | TLC41 Durham | | Local authority | County Durham | | Electoral ward | Neville's Cross | | Westminster constituency | City of Durham | | Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England) | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 1 | | Supplier names | CARERS FEDERATION | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 85000000 - Health and social work services ## Release History - 19 Dec 2022 at 13:58 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d31649f0-0375-49a4-88a6-a3b8c22ba599 - 19 Oct 2022 at 08:22 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0e6f404d-aa22-42d2-877e-29f3eef90e24 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d31649f0-0375-49a4-88a6-a3b8c22ba599 19th December 2022 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0e6f404d-aa22-42d2-877e-29f3eef90e24 19th October 2022 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder ## Notice URLs - http://www.durham.gov.uk ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-92d95121-162c-4871-b5fd-438e5b6dd19f. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-92d95121-162c-4871-b5fd-438e5b6dd19f.json.