---
title: "Embedding Smoking Cessation In NHS Talking Therapies"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06552f"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06552f"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06552f.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06552f.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL"
published: "2026-02-16"
---

# Embedding Smoking Cessation In NHS Talking Therapies

Buyer: HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06552f

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06552f)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06552f.json)

## Summary

The procurement process initiated by Hampshire County Council focuses on embedding smoking cessation within NHS Talking Therapies, identifying it under the psychiatric or psychologist services category. This contracting procedure has reached its award stage, with contracts actively signed as of 12th February 2026. Key participants include NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and North Hampshire Urgent Care Limited. Hampshire County Council aims to utilise funds from the Local Stop Smoking Services and Support Grant to strengthen smoking cessation services across Hampshire. The procurement process follows the Provider Selection Regime under the Health Care Services Regulations 2023, and providers had until 26th February 2026 to submit representations regarding the decision. The procurement was conducted using a limited method without prior publication of competition, targeting the region UKJ3.

This tender presents valuable opportunities for businesses specialising in psychiatric or psychologist services, particularly those with expertise in mental health and smoking cessation. Firms with capabilities in providing comprehensive NHS talking therapy services, which include behavioural support and clinical oversight, stand to benefit significantly. Successful providers must demonstrate the ability to integrate smoking cessation initiatives seamlessly into existing counselling structures, potentially involving staff training and developing interactive digital seminars. Large-scale healthcare providers with a focus on mental health and smoking cessation will find this contract advantageous for expanding their service offerings and supporting public health objectives like reducing smoking rates and addressing health inequalities in Hampshire.

## Notice

Hampshire Council is seeking a provider via the Most Suitable Provider process under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 to embed smoking cessation into talking therapies. Description of Service and Initiative: OHID has allocated funding to local authorities in England through the Local Stop Smoking Services and Support Grant (LSSSSG). The grant aims to strengthen smoking cessation services in Hampshire, increase quit attempts, and support the government's ambition for a smoke-free generation. It focuses on expanding access to evidence-based behavioural support and targeting groups with higher smoking rates to reduce health inequalities. Smoking is strongly linked to anxiety and depression, with higher smoking rates among people with mental health conditions. While smoking harms physical health, it also worsens mental health outcomes. Evidence shows quitting smoking can improve symptoms of anxiety and depression, highlighting the potential role of talking therapies in both smoking cessation. Evidence demonstrates that talking therapies and counselling significantly increase long-term quit rates. Hampshire Council is seeking a suitable provider of NHS Talking Therapy services to embed smoking cessation offer into established services in Hampshire. The talking therapy services offered must free at the point of access with the provider able to embed Very Brief Advice into its talking therapy service. It must employ a clinical psychologist who is able to provide oversight and leadership to the programme. The activity will possibly include developing training materials and training staff, embedding Very Brief Advice into talking therapy services and offering online webinars. This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Intention to Award Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 or Public Contract Regulations 2015 do not apply to this contract.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Hampshire Council is seeking a provider via the Most Suitable Provider process under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 to embed smoking cessation into talking therapies. Description of Service and Initiative: OHID has allocated funding to local authorities in England through the Local Stop Smoking Services and Support Grant (LSSSSG). The grant aims to strengthen smoking cessation services in Hampshire, increase quit attempts, and support the government's ambition for a smoke-free generation. It focuses on expanding access to evidence-based behavioural support and targeting groups with higher smoking rates to reduce health inequalities. Smoking is strongly linked to anxiety and depression, with higher smoking rates among people with mental health conditions. While smoking harms physical health, it also worsens mental health outcomes. Evidence shows quitting smoking can improve symptoms of anxiety and depression, highlighting the potential role of talking therapies in both smoking cessation. Evidence demonstrates that talking therapies and counselling significantly increase long-term quit rates. Hampshire Council is seeking a suitable provider of NHS Talking Therapy services to embed smoking cessation offer into established services in Hampshire. The talking therapy services offered must free at the point of access with the provider able to embed Very Brief Advice into its talking therapy service. It must employ a clinical psychologist who is able to provide oversight and leadership to the programme. The activity will possibly include developing training materials and training staff, embedding Very Brief Advice into talking therapy services and offering online webinars.

### Procurement Information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by 00:00 on 26th February 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013953-2026 |
| Notice type | Award 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 |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 12 Feb 2026 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £120,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Locality | WINCHESTER |
| Post town | Southampton |
| Postcode | SO23 8UJ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight |
| ITL 3 | TLJ36 Central Hampshire |
| Local authority | Winchester |
| Electoral ward | St Michael |
| Westminster constituency | Winchester |
| Delivery location | TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 2 |
| Supplier names | NHS HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT HEALTHCARE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST; NORTH HAMPSHIRE URGENT CARE |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 85 - Health and social work services

### Codes

- 85121270 - Psychiatrist or psychologist services

## Release History

- 16 Feb 2026 at 15:33 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/013953-2026

## Notice URLs

- https://hants.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-h6vhtk-06552f. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06552f.json.