NHS England - Provision of School Aged Immunisation Services for the Thames Valley, Kent and Medway, and Sussex

Tender description

The NHS School Aged Immunisation (SAI) programmes cover vaccinations to all children and young people of school age, whether they attend state school, independent school, complex needs schools or alternative settings. Children and young people that are educated at home can attend community clinics or their local school to receive the vaccines. NHS England Public Health Commissioning Teams are responsible for the commissioning of local SAI services under the Section 7a mandate in line with the national programme requirements and a national service specification. NHS England South East is recommissioning the SAI Programme across the population of Thames Valley, Kent and Medway, and Sussex. The current contracts with the incumbent providers end on the 31 July 2024, and the new contracts will commence on 1 August 2024, with a 5 year initial term and the option to extend for up to 2 further years. The procurement is split into 3 lots, as detailed below: • Lot 1: Kent and Medway • Lot 2: Sussex • Lot 3: Thames Valley (Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West and East) The combined annual contract value across all lots is currently estimated to be in the region of £ 7,799,827, based on 2023/24 contract values and assuming 95% uptake across adolescent immunisation programmes and 60% for the influenza immunisation for the school years of Reception through to Year 6. This value also includes a sum to support action to address variation and inequalities. Immunisation is one of the most successful and cost-effective health protection interventions. High immunisation rates are key to preventing the spread of infectious disease, complications and possible early death among individuals and to protecting the population's health. Vaccinations are provided, on behalf of the NHS, in line with the National Childhood Immunisation Programme which aims to prevent school aged children from developing vaccine preventable childhood diseases that are associated with significant mortality and morbidity. The scope for each lot may be extended in future to include additional programmes as advised/recommended by the Joint Committee of Vaccinations and Immunisations and/or at the request of the Commissioner. Where the service specification is updated during the life of the contract, School Aged Immunisation services must maintain compliance with the service specification. As such, the Commissioner reserves the right to vary contracts to incorporate any future programme changes, subject to negotiation with the provider/s. The aim and objectives of the service can be found later in the notice. The provider will work with the commissioner to implement the recommendations of the national immunisation strategy (publication imminent) which is expected to include continuing to build innovative and integrated services, linking with wider models of vaccination delivery at system level. This procurement is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners. Interested providers will be able to view this opportunity on Atamis (https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome) searching for the project title 'NHS England - Provision of School Aged Immunisation Services for the Thames Valley, Kent and Medway, and Sussex' Lot 1: Lot 1- Kent and Medway Lot 1- Kent and Medway has an estimated annual contract value of £2,737,317 (inclusive of a fixed baseline/block contract value, a variable element/tariff and an inequalities fund) The annual contract value is based on 95% uptake for adolescent programmes and 65% uptake for flu (Reception - Yr6) Contracts are to let for an initial 5-year term, with the option to extend for a further 2 years. Services are currently expected to commence on 1 August 2024. The financial model for the contract is expected to include a fixed baseline, adjusted annually for population changes, plus a variable element. The variable element will be payable on a tariff price basis for any additional activity delivered above the fixed baseline. All programme activity will be monitored as part of the contract review process to enable variable payment. TUPE is expected to apply for this lot. Programme background Immunisation is one of the most successful and cost effective health protection interventions. High immunisation rates are key to preventing the spread of infectious disease, complications and possible early death among individuals, and to protecting the population's health. School Aged Immunisation Services provide vaccination to all eligible children and young people of school age, irrespective of where they receive their education. The core aim of the service is to achieve the highest possible levels of coverage of the vaccination programmes in scope to protect school aged children from developing vaccine preventable childhood diseases that are associated with significant mortality and morbidity. To this end, delivery is primarily via schools as being highly accessible for the majority of children. All schools and educational settings (e.g. special schools, pupil referral units, independent schools) are in scope for this element of the model. In addition, Providers are expected to offer additional opportunities in convenient settings outside of school, and to make opportunities available to children and young people who do not attend school, whether because they are electively home-educated, school 'phobic', excluded or not at school on the days when vaccination sessions are held. The programmes currently in scope are: • Diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis (Td/IPV adolescent booster); • Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY); • Human papillomavirus (HPV); • Seasonal influenza (flu) immunisation programmes for school aged children (the cohort is expected to expand in future years); and • Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) catch-up. • Catch up of routine childhood immunisations for un- or under-immunised children and young people. This scope may be extended in future to include additional programmes as advised/recommended by the Joint Committee of Vaccinations and Immunisations and/or at the request of the Commissioner. Providers will also be expected to support responses to outbreaks of vaccine programme preventable diseases. Aim and Objectives The aim of the service is to deliver safe and effective, evidence-based, population-wide immunisation programmes for the eligible children. The service offer will incorporate the following features: • Strong local clinical and managerial leadership focussed on maximising coverage and uptake and reducing inequalities • Identification of, and full offer to, the whole eligible population, with repeated offers until school leaving age as required to achieve maximum coverage • Capacity and capability to reach out and engage with the communities served to build awareness and trust, supported by a programme of promotional activities • Planned and co-ordinated annual programme of delivery that is focussed on children and families, is accessible, convenient and culturally sensitive, takes account of local needs and inequalities, with tailored and targeted interventions including outreach as required • Safe and effective delivery by suitably trained, flexible staff with effective use of skill mix, striving for a workforce that reflects the local population • An effective model for securing consent • Access to timely and accurate data to inform delivery, supported by flexible IT systems that can respond to national changes and local needs There is an expectation that the contract holder will work with public health nursing and children's services across the relevant geography/ies to maximise collaboration and opportunities for an integrated service offer and delivery. The provider will work with the commissioner to implement and respond to the recommendations of the national immunisation strategy (publication imminent). The strategy is expected to include a requirement for providers to work as an integrated network of local immunisation services which work collaboratively to ensure no one is left behind. The provider will therefore be expected to link in with wider models of vaccination delivery at Integrated Care System level. Kent and Medway School Aged population In scope are those children eligible for the programmes identified within the service specification. This includes: 1. Children who attend school in the local area 2. Children who are registered in the local area but are not a resident and/or do not attend a school in the local area 3. Children who are resident in the local area but are not registered with a local GP or who do not attend a local school. The adolescent programme is predominantly delivered within secondary schools but will be offered in other locations to meet children's and families' needs. The Seasonal Flu programme is predominantly delivered to primary school children from reception to year 6 but the provider will be expected to vaccinate any additional cohorts that are advised in the annual flu letter. For the 2023/2024 flu season, the programme will include children in school years 7 to 11. The catch-up service for the routine childhood immunisation programmes will include school aged children who are of school age or about to start school, who are in further education and a referral service for children/families of pre-school age. The below shows the approximate number of children for academic year 2021/22 in schools by area. Children (Reception to Year 11): Kent 256,764 Medway 50,339 Total 307,103 Please note that these are approximate numbers at the date of publishing. Schools, pupils and their characteristics, Academic year 2021/22 - Explore education statistics - GOV.UK (explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk) Additional information: The services are healthcare services falling within Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations"), which are not subject to the full regime of the Regulations, but are instead governed by the "Light Touch Regime" contained within Chapter 3, Section 7 of the Regulations (Regulations 74 to 77). Lot 2: Lot 2 - Sussex Lot 2 - Sussex has an estimated annual contract value of £2,037,135 (inclusive of a fixed baseline/block contract value. a variable element/tariff and an inequalities fund) The annual contract value is based on 95% uptake for adolescent programmes and 65% uptake for flu (Reception - Yr6) Contracts are to let for an initial 5 year term, with the option to extend for a further 2 years. Services are currently expected to commence on 1 August 2024. The financial model for the contract is expected to include a fixed baseline, adjusted annually for population changes, plus a variable element. The variable element will be payable on a tariff price basis for any additional activity delivered above the fixed baseline. All programme activity will be monitored as part of the contract review process to enable variable payment. TUPE is expected to apply for this lot. Programme background Immunisation is one of the most successful and cost effective health protection interventions. High immunisation rates are key to preventing the spread of infectious disease, complications and possible early death among individuals, and to protecting the population's health. School Aged Immunisation Services provide vaccination to all eligible children and young people of school age, irrespective of where they receive their education. The core aim of the service is to achieve the highest possible levels of coverage of the vaccination programmes in scope to protect school aged children from developing vaccine preventable childhood diseases that are associated with significant mortality and morbidity. To this end, delivery is primarily via schools as being highly accessible for the majority of children. All schools and educational settings (e.g. special schools, pupil referral units, independent schools) are in scope for this element of the model. In addition, Providers are expected to offer additional opportunities in convenient settings outside of school, and to make opportunities available to children and young people who do not attend school, whether because they are electively home-educated, school 'phobic', excluded or not at school on the days when vaccination sessions are held. The programmes currently in scope are: • Diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis (Td/IPV adolescent booster); • Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY); • Human papillomavirus (HPV); • Seasonal influenza (flu) immunisation programmes for school aged children (the cohort is expected to expand in future years); and • Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) catch-up. • Catch up of routine childhood immunisations for un- or under-immunised children and young people. This scope may be extended in future to include additional programmes as advised/recommended by the Joint Committee of Vaccinations and Immunisations and/or at the request of the Commissioner. Providers will also be expected to support responses to outbreaks of vaccine programme preventable diseases. Aim and Objectives The aim of the service is to deliver safe and effective, evidence-based, population-wide immunisation programmes for the eligible children. The service offer will incorporate the following features: • Strong local clinical and managerial leadership focussed on maximising coverage and uptake and reducing inequalities • Identification of, and full offer to, the whole eligible population, with repeated offers until school leaving age as required to achieve maximum coverage • Capacity and capability to reach out and engage with the communities served to build awareness and trust, supported by a programme of promotional activities • Planned and co-ordinated annual programme of delivery that is focussed on children and families, is accessible, convenient and culturally sensitive, takes account of local needs and inequalities, with tailored and targeted interventions including outreach as required • Safe and effective delivery by suitably trained, flexible staff with effective use of skill mix, striving for a workforce that reflects the local population • An effective model for securing consent • Access to timely and accurate data to inform delivery, supported by flexible IT systems that can respond to national changes and local needs There is an expectation that the contract holder will work with public health nursing and children's services across the relevant geography/ies to maximise collaboration and opportunities for an integrated service offer and delivery. The provider will work with the commissioner to implement and respond to the recommendations of the national immunisation strategy (publication imminent). The strategy is expected to include a requirement for providers to work as an integrated network of local immunisation services which work collaboratively to ensure no one is left behind. The provider will therefore be expected to link in with wider models of vaccination delivery at Integrated Care System level. Sussex School Aged population In scope are those children eligible for the programmes identified within the service specification. This includes: 1. Children who attend school in the local area 2. Children who are registered in the local area but are not a resident and/or do not attend a school in the local area 3. Children who are resident in the local area but are not registered with a local GP or who do not attend a local school. The adolescent programme is predominantly delivered within secondary schools but will be offered in other locations to meet children's and families' needs. The Seasonal Flu programme is predominantly delivered to primary school children from reception to year 6 but the provider will be expected to vaccinate any additional cohorts that are advised in the annual flu letter. For the 2023/2024 flu season, the programme will include children in school years 7 to 11. The catch-up service for the routine childhood immunisation programmes will include school aged children who are of school age or about to start school, who are in further education and a referral service for children/families of pre-school age. The below shows the approximate number of children for academic year 2021/22 in schools by area. Children (Reception to Year 11) Brighton & Hove 33,295 East Sussex 68,755 West Sussex 121,162 Total 223,212 Please note that these are approximate numbers at the date of publishing. Schools, pupils and their characteristics, Academic year 2021/22 - Explore education statistics - GOV.UK (explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk) Additional information: The services are healthcare services falling within Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations"), which are not subject to the full regime of the Regulations, but are instead governed by the "Light Touch Regime" contained within Chapter 3, Section 7 of the Regulations (Regulations 74 to 77). Lot 3: Lot 3 - Thames Valley (Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West and East) Lot 3 - Thames Valley (Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire West and East) has an estimated annual contract value of £3,025,376 (inclusive of a fixed baseline/block contract value, a variable element/tariff and an inequalities fund) The annual contract value is based on 95% uptake for adolescent programmes and 65% uptake for flu (Reception - Yr6) Contracts are to let for an initial 5 year term, with the option to extend for a further 2 years. Services are currently expected to commence on 1 August 2024. The financial model for the contract is expected to include a fixed baseline, adjusted annually for population changes, plus a variable element. The variable element will be payable on a tariff price basis for any additional activity delivered above the fixed baseline. All programme activity will be monitored as part of the contract review process to enable variable payment. TUPE is expected to apply for this lot. Programme background Immunisation is one of the most successful and cost effective health protection interventions. High immunisation rates are key to preventing the spread of infectious disease, complications and possible early death among individuals, and to protecting the population's health. School Aged Immunisation Services provide vaccination to all eligible children and young people of school age, irrespective of where they receive their education. The core aim of the service is to achieve the highest possible levels of coverage of the vaccination programmes in scope to protect school aged children from developing vaccine preventable childhood diseases that are associated with significant mortality and morbidity. To this end, delivery is primarily via schools as being highly accessible for the majority of children. All schools and educational settings (e.g. special schools, pupil referral units, independent schools) are in scope for this element of the model. In addition, Providers are expected to offer additional opportunities in convenient settings outside of school, and to make opportunities available to children and young people who do not attend school, whether because they are electively home-educated, school 'phobic', excluded or not at school on the days when vaccination sessions are held. The programmes currently in scope are: • Diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis (Td/IPV adolescent booster); • Meningococcal ACWY (MenACWY); • Human papillomavirus (HPV); • Seasonal influenza (flu) immunisation programmes for school aged children (the cohort is expected to expand in future years); and • Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) catch-up. • Catch up of routine childhood immunisations for un- or under-immunised children and young people. This scope may be extended in future to include additional programmes as advised/recommended by the Joint Committee of Vaccinations and Immunisations and/or at the request of the Commissioner. Providers will also be expected to support responses to outbreaks of vaccine programme preventable diseases. Aim and Objectives The aim of the service is to deliver safe and effective, evidence-based, population-wide immunisation programmes for the eligible children. The service offer will incorporate the following features: • Strong local clinical and managerial leadership focussed on maximising coverage and uptake and reducing inequalities • Identification of, and full offer to, the whole eligible population, with repeated offers until school leaving age as required to achieve maximum coverage • Capacity and capability to reach out and engage with the communities served to build awareness and trust, supported by a programme of promotional activities • Planned and co-ordinated annual programme of delivery that is focussed on children and families, is accessible, convenient and culturally sensitive, takes account of local needs and inequalities, with tailored and targeted interventions including outreach as required • Safe and effective delivery by suitably trained, flexible staff with effective use of skill mix, striving for a workforce that reflects the local population • An effective model for securing consent • Access to timely and accurate data to inform delivery, supported by flexible IT systems that can respond to national changes and local needs There is an expectation that the contract holder will work with public health nursing and children's services across the relevant geography/ies to maximise collaboration and opportunities for an integrated service offer and delivery. The provider will work with the commissioner to implement and respond to the recommendations of the national immunisation strategy (publication imminent). The strategy is expected to include a requirement for providers to work as an integrated network of local immunisation services which work collaboratively to ensure no one is left behind. The provider will therefore be expected to link in with wider models of vaccination delivery at Integrated Care System level. Thames Valley School Aged population In scope are those children eligible for the programmes identified within the service specification. This includes: 1. Children who attend school in the local area 2. Children who are registered in the local area but are not a resident and/or do not attend a school in the local area 3. Children who are resident in the local area but are not registered with a local GP or who do not attend a local school. The adolescent programme is predominantly delivered within secondary schools but will be offered in other locations to meet children's and families' needs. The Seasonal Flu programme is predominantly delivered to primary school children from reception to year 6 but the provider will be expected to vaccinate any additional cohorts that are advised in the annual flu letter. For the 2023/2024 flu season, the programme will include children in school years 7 to 11. The catch-up service for the routine childhood immunisation programmes will include school aged children who are of school age or about to start school, who are in further education and a referral service for children/families of pre-school age. The below shows the approximate number of children for academic year 2021/22 in schools by area. Children (Reception to Year 11) Buckinghamshire 87,205 Oxfordshire 102,716 West Berkshire 25,190 Bracknell Forest 18,858 Reading 22,900 Slough 29,588 Windsor & Maidenhead 23,057 Wokingham 29,271 Total 338,785 Please note that these are approximate numbers at the date of publishing. Schools, pupils and their characteristics, Academic year 2021/22 - Explore education statistics - GOV.UK (explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk) Additional information: The services are healthcare services falling within Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations"), which are not subject to the full regime of the Regulations, but are instead governed by the "Light Touch Regime" contained within Chapter 3, Section 7 of the Regulations (Regulations 74 to 77).