Rheumatology Services
Description: Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust ("SCFT") (the "Authority") sought a provider to deliver additional consultant-led outpatient capacity for its Rheumatology Service at Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital ("BWMH"), following the expiry of the previous insourcing arrangement. Consultant capacity from University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust had reduced considerably, increasing waiting times and clinical risk to patients.
This is an insourcing arrangement: the provider's consultant delivers clinics from within SCFT's own service at BWMH, using SCFT's own booking, reception and clinical systems (SystmOne), rather than patients being referred out to an external pathway.
The service covers face-to-face new and follow-up patient clinics, review of medical notes, dictation and typing of outcome letters, management of diagnostic tests, and monthly performance review meetings, operating a minimum of four clinic days a month, in (read more...)
Summary: The Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust has awarded a contract for Rheumatology Services at Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital. The procurement process aimed to increase outpatient capacity due to reduced consultant availability and consequential risks. The tender falls under the category of Medical Specialist Services and was conducted through a competitive further competition under the NHS Workforce Alliance Insourced Services Framework. The procurement aligns with the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 and followed a limited award procedure without prior publication. Contract terms cover from 3rd August 2026 to 31st March 2027, with a potential 12-month extension. The procurement stage has been completed with the contract now active as of 30th July 2026.