Health services

Tender description

NWL CCGs (as described in Section VI.3 below and hereinafter referred to as the “CCGs”) have awarded three contracts for the provision of an integrated urgent care service in North West London (“NWL”). The arrangement will provide the following: the call handling service of 111; the clinical assessment service for 111; and GP out of hours services. The 111 service is a critical part of the NWL urgent care infrastructure and key to enabling a person to be treated in the right place at the right time. Lot 1 concerns the provision of 24/7, 365 day 111 call handling services. 111 is a nationally mandated service and is a key element of the NWL urgent care infrastructure. Pathways trained service, health and clinical advisors help ensure patients are guided to the appropriate service to meet their needs. Lot 1 has been awarded to the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust (“LAS”) with London Central and West Unscheduled Care Collaborative (“LCW”) and Practice Plus Group Urgent Care Limited (“PPG”) as mandated sub-contractors. This collaboration of providers enables NWL to test the opportunities for integration between the 999 and 111 service whilst maximising opportunities to connect pathways of care due to the understanding of care delivery across the Integrated Care System during the term of the agreement. The service to be delivered for callers across NWL, is through organisations accredited to use NHS Pathways, with a clear and detailed understanding of patient need and urgent care pathways in NWL and a good track record of delivery of 111 services. Following detailed consideration the CCGs believe that there are opportunities to integrate and streamline call handling between the 999 service and the 111 service. Due to the integration opportunities with the 999 services LAS is the only provider capable of delivering Lot 1. To ensure resilience and integration, LAS will hold contracts with LCW and PPG as Material Sub- Contractors delivering part of the 111 call-handling supported by an Alliance Agreement. The form of contract is the NHS Standard Contract. Lot 2 consists of two contracts each for a 111 clinical assessment service and GP out of hours services. One contract has been awarded to LCW and the other to PPG. The collaboration between Lot 1 and Lot 2 providers is supported by an Alliance Agreement. Lot 2 concerns the provision of a 111 clinical assessment service operating 24/7, 365 days a year together with the provision of GP Out of Hours services as part of an integrated urgent care model of care to be delivered across NWL. The 111 clinical assessment service will work alongside the Lot 1 111 call handling service ensuring that where indicated, patients have access to a clinician who will review their urgent care needs and determine how best these are met. The Lot 2 providers will need to work with the Lot 1 provider, LAS, for elements of the clinical assessment service. The providers will also need to deliver GP out of hours services for NWL practices that do not provide this service directly.