Health and social work services

Tender description

Giving people a greater say in how the health and care system works was a central pillar of the coalition Government’s ambition and a key component of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 (“the Act”). To achieve this Government outlined a framework for a network of local Healthwatch organisations with the aim of creating a credible, representative and influential public voice in the system. Local authorities with adult social care responsibilities are required, under the Act, to commission a local Healthwatch service covering the local authority area. The Act also makes provision for contractual arrangements between local authorities and their local Healthwatch organisation however it allows flexibility for councils to choose the commissioning route that offers the best value for money in their communities. Lincolnshire County Council's existing grant agreement for Local Healthwatch Services is due end on 30 September 2018. Lincolnshire County Council is, therefore, in the process of assessing the best way in which to commission a Local Healthwatch Service in Lincolnshire. To that end we are seeking to understand the market’s preferred approach to a number of important issues to inform the decision making process. To receive a draft copy of the specification and a brief questionnaire please email mark.fowell@lincolnshire.gov.uk You will then receive the current draft Service Specification which describes the requirements for the Local Healthwatch Service and within which context the questions within the questionnaire are set out. Please be as open as possible and include problems and potential risks associated with the requirements and the questions set out. As the Council wishes to proceed expeditiously we are seeking responses to the Questionnaire by 11.5.2018. We may also have some follow up questions, if so an appointment will be made to speak with you by telephone or face to face as appropriate. The responses will be collated and anonymised before being provided to the core decision making team. We are keen to understand a true reflection of the market's views; your answers will have no influence on your further participation in this process, and all responses will be treated as confidential and commercially sensitive. We are grateful for your participation in this questionnaire.