NHS Halton CCG - Zero Tolerance Scheme for Primary Care Patients

Tender description

The Violent Patient Scheme was introduced as a Directed Enhanced Service (DES) by the Department of Health (DH) following on from the cross-government Zero Tolerance campaign introduced in 2000, to tackle violence in the NHS. The guidance which provides the framework on the withholding of NHS treatment from violent and abusive patients was issued by the DH in 2000: 'Tackling violence towards GPs and their staff (HSC 2000/01), and in 2001: Withholding treatment from violent and abuse patients in NHS trusts (HSC2001/18)'. The aim of the service is to deliver high quality general medical primary care within a secure environment across identified areas within the Halton footprint, to accommodate patients who have demonstrated challenging or aggressive behaviour in their GP Practice. The provider is required to deliver a consistent, accessible, high quality, safe, effective healthcare service and dedicated administration for patients. The provider is expected to provide access to a telephone line between 8:00am-6.30pm Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays. The service will also provide access to in-hours face-to-face and telephone consultations within Halton, as required. Current activity levels are relatively low. Over the previous two years the number of patients registered on the scheme ranged between three and six. However, it is possible that the activity will increase, although the amount is unknown. The proposed contract is for an initial 3 years with the option to extend for a further 1-year period.