---
title: "Hepatitis C in prisons: improving awareness, detection and treatment amongst Gypsy, Romany and Traveller (GRT) offenders"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-abae1910-9973-4a99-9382-7e594c159c8c"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-abae1910-9973-4a99-9382-7e594c159c8c"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-abae1910-9973-4a99-9382-7e594c159c8c.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-abae1910-9973-4a99-9382-7e594c159c8c.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE COMMISSIONING BOARD (KNOWN AS NHS ENGLAND )"
published: "2021-10-14"
---

# Hepatitis C in prisons: improving awareness, detection and treatment amongst Gypsy, Romany and Traveller (GRT) offenders

Buyer: NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE COMMISSIONING BOARD (KNOWN AS NHS ENGLAND )  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-abae1910-9973-4a99-9382-7e594c159c8c

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## Summary

The contracting process involves the National Health Service Commissioning Board (NHS England) as the buying organisation. The tender, titled "Hepatitis C in prisons: improving awareness, detection and treatment amongst Gypsy, Romany and Traveller (GRT) offenders", falls under the services industry, specifically within the research and development services category. The procurement method used is a direct single tender action, with a minimum contract value of £32,500. The contract period commenced on 1st September 2021 and will conclude on 1st March 2022. The research is being conducted within English prisons, particularly targeting GRT populations, while the delivery address is located in Leeds, UK.

This tender presents opportunities for businesses that specialise in healthcare, community health services, or research and development focused on minority populations. Companies with experience in engaging with vulnerable communities, particularly those from Gypsy, Romany, and Traveller backgrounds, would find this contract well-suited to their capabilities. By leveraging their knowledge in HCV and communities' health awareness, these businesses can contribute to increasing testing and treatment access for offenders, ultimately driving growth through tailored healthcare solutions.

## Notice

There are around 90,000 people within England with the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Some populations are of higher risk of HCV, including people who were born in endemic countries, people who inject drugs, and those who are in custody. Members of the GRT communities are overrepresented in the prison system, and sometimes even not likely to identify themselves as GRT within the prisons. These populations can therefore be difficult to access, and it is hard to know what their needs are to ensure they are able to access the testing and treatment they might require. There is some research to indicate that NHS England and NHS Improvement must better meet the health and social care needs of GRT offenders as they are potentially at a higher risk of HCV and are less likely to engage with some health services. However, more research is needed to understand the barriers GRT populations face in prison accessing HCV testing and treatment. This contract requires an organisation to design and test Hepatitis C materials - specifically targeted at GRT populations - with GRT individuals. This should be done through at least 20 semi-structured interviews with current offenders who are GRT within English prisons. There should also be the development of GRT peer mentors to increase the understanding of GRT communities, which in turn will increase testing and treatment numbers amongst these communities. There should be at least 8 peer mentors trained for this. The peers must have high levels of knowledge and understanding of HCV, and must be currently in prison and from the GRT community, and have lived experience of HCV testing/treatment. There should also be the creation of a bespoke video resource which will show a member(s) of the GRT community being tested for HCV for dissemination amongst GRT communities. Alongside this should be a communications and engagement campaign targeted at GRT populations around HCV, which will increase testing and treatment numbers. This should all be conducted with lived experience input at the centre. Research must be conducted within English prisons, and so working with Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) research arm will be central.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a6cca550-7d4d-4fbb-aa36-c557621bb2c9 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Single tender action (below threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 14 Oct 2021 |
| Submission deadline | 2 Aug 2021 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 22 Aug 2021 |
| Contract period | 31 Aug 2021 - 1 Mar 2022 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £32,350 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £32,350 |
| 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 | NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE COMMISSIONING BOARD (KNOWN AS NHS ENGLAND ) |
| Locality | LEEDS |
| Post town | Leeds |
| Postcode | LS2 7UE |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLE Yorkshire and The Humber |
| ITL 2 | TLE4 West Yorkshire |
| ITL 3 | TLE42 Leeds |
| Local authority | Leeds |
| Electoral ward | Little London & Woodhouse |
| Westminster constituency | Leeds Central and Headingley |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | GYPSYLIFE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
- 75 - Administration, defence and social security services
- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
- 75200000 - Provision of services to the community
- 75231230 - Prison services
- 85323000 - Community health services

## Release History

- 14 Oct 2021 at 19:12 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a6cca550-7d4d-4fbb-aa36-c557621bb2c9

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/a6cca550-7d4d-4fbb-aa36-c557621bb2c9
  14th October 2021 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://atamis-1928.cloudforce.com/sfc/p/0O000000rwim/a/4J000000Ng5c/bs.WZqaIGj5lAhzmRxlhia7PM8TRtMUcajKu11WQ074
  NHS_TERMS_AND_CONDITIONS_FOR_THE_PROVISION_OF_SERVICES__PO_VERSION_ (9)

## Provenance

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