GB-Shrewsbury: PMCV 022 - Shropshire Healthwatch and Independent NHS Complaints Advocacy

Tender description

Shropshire Council wishes to commission a local Healthwatch and a local Independent NHS Complaints Advocacy Service (IHCAS). Healthwatch and IHCAS will be offered as an integrated service. Bidders may submit a tender which proposes a sub-contracting arrangement for IHCAS. Shropshire Council is looking for proposals which recognise the benefits of an integrated Healthwatch and IHCAS or close operational links between Healthwatch and IHCAS which make the most efficient use of resources. Total maximum funding available for Healthwatch and IHCAS will be £162,000 per annum. Bidders should indicate how the total funding is allocated to each element of the integrated service or how much they propose to allocate to IHCAS in the event of a sub-contracting arrangement. Shropshire Council will expect bidders to demonstrate and identify where efficiencies are gained through their proposed approach. In addition, Shropshire Council wishes to commission an Independent Health Complaints Advocacy Service (IHCAS) in accordance with all relevant legislation and will be client centred, providing a flexible service that empowers a person (complainant) who wishes to resolve a complaint about healthcare commissioned and/or provided by the NHS in Shropshire. IHCAS can also support a local person to resolve a complaint about health services commissioned and delivered by an NHS provider within another local area. IHCAS will need to link closely to Local Healthwatch organisations, in particular Healthwatch Shropshire, in order that learning and information can be shared regarding the quality of health and social care services in order to drive improvements. Due to the close geographical links and shared NHS services, it is also important that the IHCAS for Shropshire shares learning with the IHCAS covering the Telford & Wrekin Council area. The duration of the contract will be for 3 years commencing on 1st April 2023 with an option to extend for a further 2 years. Applicants should note that it is considered that the Employee "Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations" 2006 ("TUPE") and any amendments to the regulations or related regulations may apply to this contract. Applicants are advised to seek their own legal advice about the practicality of these regulations.