NHS SY ICB - Non-Emergency Patient Transport - Additional Discharge

{
  "awards": [
    {
      "id": "051170-2025-1",
      "relatedLots": [
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      "status": "active",
      "suppliers": [
        {
          "id": "GB-FTS-158825",
          "name": "first4care"
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  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-FTS-113634",
    "name": "NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board"
  },
  "contracts": [
    {
      "awardID": "051170-2025-1",
      "dateSigned": "2025-08-22T00:00:00+01:00",
      "id": "051170-2025-1",
      "status": "active",
      "value": {
        "amount": 3617670.0,
        "currency": "GBP"
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    }
  ],
  "date": "2025-08-26T10:50:15+01:00",
  "description": "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 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 [Add date]. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eRepresentations should be made by email to - syicb-sheffield.syicb.procurement@nhs.net\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eThe award decision makers were - Informal Executive Group.\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eNo conflicts of interest were identified.\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eAs detailed in section II.2.14.1 above are continued below:\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eFirst4care shares patient journey data analysis and contract performance to demonstrate how Trusts\u2019 staff can contribute to that performance (e.g. by increasing the number of patients per journey, carbon emissions per patient are dramatically decreased therefore contributing the Trusts\u2019 Green Plan and net zero ambitions.\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eKey Criteria 4 - Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice - Weighting 20% \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003eThe provider delivers a service that is accessible to all and makes reasonable adjustments to support those who need them: \u003cbr/\u003e- Develop the use of data, patient/community engagement and insight, evidence and evaluation to better understand access, experience, barriers and outcomes for specific population groups \u003cbr/\u003e- Increased use of analysis, intelligence and sharing of data to inform population health priorities and system prevention initiatives \u003cbr/\u003e- Develop organisational education/awareness programmes on reducing health inequalities \u003cbr/\u003e- Engage with SY ICB to develop more opportunities VCSE and local authority engagement \u003cbr/\u003e-Working in collaboration with people who have lived experience of health services, engaging with NHS England`s Strategic Coproduction Group. \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eThe company has a \"Disability Confident Committed\" which demonstrates they think differently about disabilities and take action to improve disabled peoples\u0027 lives. This cultural belief naturally extends to the treatment and care provided to patients. \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003eKey Criteria 5 - Social Value - Weighting 10% \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003eThe provider has a commitment to reduce energy consumption by 10% in the next 2 years and is looking at electric fleet vehicles. \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003eCurrent Initiatives in line with the NHS Green Plan \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003eDelivering Net Zero Strategy \u003cbr/\u003eInvestment in local people and communities \u003cbr/\u003eExpansive and Award-winning apprenticeship programme \u003cbr/\u003eCareer development pathways and volunteering programmes across all services \u003cbr/\u003eInvestment in local economies \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003eFirst4care recognises its responsibilities to the community it serves and has employed a visionary strategy since 2004 with a focus on sustainability of services and efficiencies in time and miles that aligns to (as then unheard of) more recent plans of the wider health economy and social value. \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003eThe provider pioneered a unique geographical workforce model utilising the local area population to deliver our Local Authority and NHS contracts ensuring our staff have local cultural empathy with the populations needs and requirements whilst reducing commute miles, in-shift miles and inefficiency. \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003eUtilising a local geographical workforce model encourages economic benefits and local communities in ways such as, \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003estaff in the local area - bringing employment to the area. Working with local job centres and welfare points \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003elocal geographic knowledge reduces in-shift mileage \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003elow carbon emissions travelling to work - local crews can walk / cycle to work \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003edrivers collect their crew mate therefore eliminating 50% of staff commute \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003evehicle servicing at a local level reduces miles travelled to service AND influences local communities \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003esmaller staff meetings scheduled by managers in the different locations so that staff are not travelling long distances \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e The provider has a Carbon Reduction Plan and green plan in line with the NHS and intend to trial electric Ambulances during 2026 for our Rotherham discharge service.",
  "id": "051170-2025",
  "initiationType": "tender",
  "language": "en",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-058d8d",
  "parties": [
    {
      "address": {
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "locality": "Sheffield",
        "postalCode": "S1 3FG",
        "region": "UKE32",
        "streetAddress": "197 Eyre Street"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "email": "syicb.procurement@nhs.net",
        "name": "Procurement department"
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      "details": {
        "buyerProfile": "https://www.southyorkshire.icb.nhs.uk/",
        "classifications": [
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            "id": "BODY_PUBLIC",
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          {
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            "id": "07",
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        "url": "https://www.southyorkshire.icb.nhs.uk/"
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      "id": "GB-FTS-113634",
      "identifier": {
        "legalName": "NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board"
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      "name": "NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board",
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    {
      "address": {
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "locality": "Mansfield",
        "postalCode": "NG21 9HS",
        "region": "UKE3",
        "streetAddress": "THE OLD STATION, HIGH STREET, EDWINSTOWE, MANSFIELD, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE,"
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      "details": {
        "scale": "large"
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      "id": "GB-FTS-158825",
      "identifier": {
        "legalName": "first4care"
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      "name": "first4care",
      "roles": [
        "supplier"
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    },
    {
      "address": {
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "locality": "London",
        "postalCode": "SE1 8UG",
        "streetAddress": "Wellington House"
      },
      "id": "GB-FTS-133554",
      "identifier": {
        "legalName": "Independent patient choice and procurement panel"
      },
      "name": "Independent patient choice and procurement panel",
      "roles": [
        "reviewBody"
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  "tender": {
    "classification": {
      "description": "Ambulance services",
      "id": "85143000",
      "scheme": "CPV"
    },
    "description": "It is estimated that around \u00a3460 million is spent on NEPTS a year across England \u2013 at an average cost of around \u00a338 per journey. That represents about \u00a31 in every \u00a3275 spent by the NHS, approximately the same as the total cost of radiotherapy. For people with a medical or severe mobility need, non-emergency patient transport services (NEPTS) provide an essential means to access the NHS, who otherwise might not be able to attend appointments or be discharged from hospital. \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eOn average the Provider discharges a total of 11,268 patients per annum from Barnsley, Rotherham, and Doncaster hospitals, who otherwise would not be able to be discharged from hospital.",
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-058d8d",
    "items": [
      {
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UKE3"
          }
        ],
        "deliveryLocation": {
          "description": "Barnsley, Doncaster \u0026 Rotherham"
        },
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1"
      }
    ],
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "32014L0024",
      "scheme": "CELEX"
    },
    "lots": [
      {
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "description": "100",
              "name": "The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard",
              "type": "quality"
            },
            {
              "description": "0",
              "type": "price"
            }
          ]
        },
        "description": "It is estimated that around \u00a3460 million is spent on NEPTS a year across England \u2013 at an average cost of around \u00a338 per journey. That represents about \u00a31 in every \u00a3275 spent by the NHS, approximately the same as the total cost of radiotherapy. For people with a medical or severe mobility need, non-emergency patient transport services (NEPTS) provide an essential means to access the NHS, who otherwise might not be able to attend appointments or be discharged from hospital. \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eOn average the Provider discharges a total of 11,268 patients per annum from Barnsley, Rotherham, and Doncaster hospitals, who otherwise would not be able to be discharged from hospital. \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003eThis contract will be awarded following the Direct Award Process C of the Provider Selection Regime.\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eThe approximate lifetime value of the contract is - \u00a33,617,670. This is based on the annual value of \u00a3723,534 and a 3 year contract with the option to extend for a further 2 years.\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eThe contract will run from 01/10/2025 to 30/9/2028 with the option to extend for a further 2 years.\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eThe name and address of the provider is:\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eFirst4Care\u003cbr/\u003eThe Old Station,\u003cbr/\u003eHigh Street,\u003cbr/\u003eEdwinstowe,\u003cbr/\u003eMansfield,\u003cbr/\u003eNottinghamshire,\u003cbr/\u003eNG21 9HS. Additional information: Key Criteria 1 - Quality \u0026 Innovation - Weighting 25% \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003eThere are no performance or quality issues with the First4Care Contract \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eFirst4care\u2019s recent CQC report rated them as good in every Key Line of Enquiry (KLOE) except Well-Led, in which it was rated Outstanding.  \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eQuality of service is proven by the current and historic performance experienced by the 3 trusts (Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust \u0026 The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust). The ICB is confident that patient safety and effective patient care are provided via a myriad of combined factors implemented by first4care: \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eTheir safe and effective NHS aligned recruitment process \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eTheir 5-day bespoke\u202ftailored NEPTS training course plus\u202f11 mandatory core subjects \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eCrews are trained to dynamically risk assess each patient\u0027s needs and determine the best course for their care \u0026 transport \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eFleet of Ambulances are fit for purpose, maintained, serviced and inspected regularly and repaired promptly as necessary \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003ePolicies and procedures are in place for staff to rely upon and work to in order to provide safe and effective services \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eManagement encourages, supports and effectively manages staff to provide safe and effective services and has robust, prompt processes in place should standards fall \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eThe company has effective procedures and management of incidents, complaints, compliments, improvement actions and implements learning plans for the development of staff \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003eKey Criteria 2 - Value - Weighting 20% \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003eFirst4 Care is an independent provider of transport services and is flexible to take advantage of local workforce offering Value for money for the system and employability of people in the local area. This is reflected in the \u0027Outstanding\u0027 CQC rating results, with the inspection stating that First4Care has an innovative staffing model, based on grassroot ownership, which empowered staff in decision making to drive quality and service. \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003eThe provider is willing to deliver the service at the current contract value. The service cost value of service will not increase. \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003eCQC registered and inspected with the latest inspection being 31 May 2023. First4Care have been rated as \u0027Good\u0027 in all areas and \u0027Outstanding\u0027 in the Well-led department. \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003eThe service meets the agreed response times and treats patients with compassion and kindness, respects their privacy and dignity and takes account of their individual needs. \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003efirst4care was the first independent NEPTS provider to deliver bespoke KPIs in 2011 for the Trusts and to demonstrate how improvements to the service could be made through changes it suggested. Their systems allow for monitoring, management and reporting of all journeys and all aspects of the discharge service delivery. The company can provide full-service reports monthly and meet regularly to discuss contract performance. First4care remodelled the Trusts\u2019 requirements through the provision of data analysis which continually improves their service delivery and performance against targets (e.g. Rotherham Hospital originally commissioned an overnight double crew stretcher ambulance shift but first4care\u2019s data showed only 1 stretcher patient travelled after 10pm so the service was remodelled to provide more efficient shift times and resource). \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eThese elements, together with the competitive rates charged for the discharge service give the ICB great confidence in the value for money offered by first4care. \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003eKey Criteria 3 - Integration, collaboration and service sustainability - Weighting 25% \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003eThe Provider works collaboratively with system partners ensuring greater regional alignment to create a consistent minimum service offer for patients and acute trust partners- simpler interface, avoiding delays and confusion \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003ePTS Patient Charter explains the providers responsibilities and commitment to providing the highest quality service to SY patients. It has been designed in conjunction with hospitals and other healthcare organisations and professionals in South Yorkshire. \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003eThe provider has actively listened to patients, staff, volunteers, our SY communities and our healthcare partners to make sure their strategy is reflective of their views and expectations: \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003eThe provider has committed to deliver the most clinically appropriate response for every patient, whenever and where they need it. Provide care that is personalised, joined up and coordinated with the wider healthcare system, deliver quality care that is evidence informed, person centred, safe and compassionate and provide support and care delivered by professional, kind and respectful staff. \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003efirst4care collects patient journey data for analysis and continuous improvement of their service; the Company actively and extensively engages with the ICB and enthusiastically works with YAS within South Yorkshire to improve patient experience and outcomes. The ICB is confident collaboration between first4care, and YAS will further improve over the life of this contract and lead to greater patient care and outcomes. \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eFirst4care\u2019s CQC report states: \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eThe service worked closely with NHS trusts to develop policies and SOPs that reflected patient need and the experiences of crews working on a specific contract. For example, the service was working with a trust to develop defined policies for transporting patients being cared for at the end of life\u201d. \u003cbr/\u003e \u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eThe remaining key criteria are detailed in section VI.3.0.1 below.",
        "hasOptions": false,
        "id": "1",
        "status": "cancelled"
      }
    ],
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
    "procurementMethod": "limited",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition",
    "procurementMethodRationale": "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 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 the relevant authority by midnight on the 5th September 2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR\u0027",
    "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
      {
        "description": "The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the directive",
        "id": "D_OUTSIDE_SCOPE",
        "scheme": "TED_PT_AWARD_CONTRACT_WITHOUT_CALL"
      }
    ],
    "status": "complete",
    "title": "NHS SY ICB - Non-Emergency Patient Transport - Additional Discharge"
  }
}