Health services

Tender description

NHS Sheffield CCG is seeking collaborative bids for the provision of a physical health improvement service for people living in Sheffield with severe mental illness, learning disabilities and autistic spectrum condition. NHS Sheffield CCG is seeking collaborative bids for the provision of a physical health improvement service for people living in Sheffield with severe mental illness, learning disabilities and autistic spectrum condition. Due to procurement requirements a single lead provider is required, however a collaborative approach is strongly encouraged. The lead provider could come from a range of organisations, however it would be expected that there were clearly defined routes for using or building on existing information and data sharing channels and systems within health services as part of the service’s work. The lead provider would need to be able to ensure effective clinical systems/supervision and IT links between the service and health services. People living with severe mental illness (SMI), learning disabilities (LD) and autistic spectrum condition (ASC), face some of the greatest health inequality gaps in England. The average life expectancy for someone with a long-term mental health illness is at least 15-20 years shorter than for someone without and it is estimated that for people with SMI, 2 in 3 deaths are from physical illnesses that can be prevented. On average men with LD die 23 years earlier than men without a LD and for women it’s 27 years earlier . Autistic people die on average 16 years earlier than the general population. Poorer physical health is for the majority of people due to preventable illnesses. Key stakeholders in Sheffield are working together (through the Physical Health Implementation Group - PHIG) to look creatively at how we can support people living with these conditions to have the best possible physical health. The services outlined in the SMI/LD/ASC physical health improvement team specification are in line with the strategy. The vision for Sheffield is that people living with severe mental illness, learning disabilities and autistic spectrum condition will live longer and healthier lives, because of improvements in their physical health and reduction, or early identification, of avoidable physical illness. Outline of the specification The commissioned service will ensure delivery of an increased completion of severe mental illness and learning disabilities annual physical health checks and national screening, leading to follow up intervention, lifestyle guidance/coaching (reactive and preventative), care planning, and Long Term Care Management where needed. The service will also support activity to improve access for people living with autistic spectrum condition to physical health checks and screening, including working with the PHIG to develop a local approach to delivering GP-led annual health checks for people living with ASC. Preventative and person centred focused approaches to enabling good physical health are key factors in achieving the service’s aims. The commissioning strategy also recognises that there is a need for increased capacity within community based physical activity/healthy living projects/services to better meet the needs of people living with SMI, LD, ASC. The tender process will take place in November 2020 and the contract will be awarded early in the new year (2021). We have provided a draft specification for your comments. In preparation we will be holding an open market engagement event (via Zoom) to share more details about our plans, hear your views, allow initial discussion between providers who may wish to collaborate on a bid, and answer queries. Details of the agenda will be confirmed nearer the time. The event will take place on Thursday 5 November 2 p.m.-3.30pm.