NHS England South East - Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) in the South East of England & Dorset

Tender description

This notice is placed as a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to inform the market of NHS England South East's and NHS England South West's, (the Commissioners'), intention to recommission Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Services in late April 2024. Prior Information Notices have previously been published regarding the South East SARC; this is an update to inform the market that this will now include the addition of Dorset as a lot within the procurement process. NHS England South East will be the lead commissioner and Dorset SARC will be commissioned by NHS England South West. Previous publication concerning this procedure: 2024/S 000-005754 NHS England, the Offices of the Police & Crime Commissioner (OPCCs) and Police Forces within the South East and Dorset will be seeking providers who have the capability and capacity to deliver SARC provision for both adults (18 years and over) and children (under 18 years). The areas covered within the upcoming recommissioning exercise, and therefore likely Lots, will be: • Kent • Surrey • Sussex • Hampshire (including the Isle of Wight) • Thames Valley (excluding Milton Keynes) • Dorset There is considerable variation in service provision across the SARCs, not only with regard to the age and needs of service users, but also in relation to activity, service specification, and referral pathways. The recommissioning exercise will aim to increase equity of access and ensure a consistent and high standard of quality care to victims of sexual assault. The service will be delivered in line with current national standards, guidance and best practice, and at the same time meet the local needs of each Force area. The procurement is anticipated to be published w/c 22nd April 2024. This exercise is being managed by NHS South Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner. Lot 1: This notice is placed as a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to inform the market of NHS England South East's and NHS England South West's, (the Commissioners'), intention to recommission Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Services in late April 2024. Prior Information Notices have previously been published regarding the South East SARC; this is an update to inform the market that this will now include the addition of Dorset as a lot within the procurement process. NHS England South East will be the lead commissioner and Dorset SARC will be commissioned by NHS England South West. Previous publication concerning this procedure: 2024/S 000-005754 NHS England, the Offices of the Police & Crime Commissioner (OPCCs) and Police Forces within the South East and Dorset will be seeking providers who have the capability and capacity to deliver SARC provision for both adults (18 years and over) and children (under 18 years). The areas covered within the upcoming recommissioning exercise, and therefore likely Lots, alongside the indicative maximum contract values will be: • Kent: £9,041,000 • Surrey: £9,041,000 • Sussex: £9,041,000 • Hampshire (including the Isle of Wight): £9,041,000 • Thames Valley (excluding Milton Keynes): £13,550,000 • Dorset: £6,300,000 Due to its geography, it is proposed that there will be two SARC premises in Thames Valley. For all other areas, one SARC premise is proposed. The services within scope, include core SARC provision, SARC management, the provision of medical and forensic examinations (both acute and non-recent), crisis support and onward referral services for people who have experienced sexual assault. It should be noted that non-recent cases will not necessarily need to be undertaken at the (accredited) SARC site. There is considerable variation in service provision across the SARCs, not only with regard to the age and needs of service users, but also in relation to activity, service specification, and referral pathways. The recommissioning exercise will aim to increase equity of access and ensure a consistent and high standard of quality care to victims of sexual assault. The service will be delivered in line with current national standards, guidance and best practice, and at the same time meet the local needs of each Force area. The Provider will ensure that services are delivered in an age-appropriate way for children and adults; all staff must meet the skills and competences commensurate with the role they are performing. The service should consider safeguarding, health and forensic requirements in line with current and relevant guidelines. It is likely that Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) services and therapeutic provision including counselling and talking therapies, will be out of scope. However, the SARC provider/s will work closely with these services and ensure service users are referred to onward provision as appropriate. The contract term for South East SARCs is likely to commence on 1st April 2025 and will be fixed for a duration of seven years. The contract term for Dorset SARC is likely to commence in January 2025 and will be fixed for a duration of seven years. TUPE is likely to apply. Additional information: These services are healthcare services falling within the Health Care Services, (Provider Selection Regime) (PSR) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, (and the 'Light Touch Regime' contained therein), do not apply to these services and thus do not apply to this notice.