Local Healthwatch Service and Independent Complaints Advocacy (NHS Services)

Tender description

This tender is being published under the Light Touch Regime of the Public Contract Regulations 2015. The Social Care and Health Act 2012 makes provision for a consumer champion for health and social care called Healthwatch. The Local Healthwatch is funded through the Department of Health Community Voices grant which is channelled through each Local Authority. The Act also makes provision for local authorities to make arrangements for the delivery of an Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (ICAS) in relation to their area for complaints relating to the provision of NHS health services. This service is also funded from the Department of Health's Community Voices grant. ICAS may be provided by the same provider as Local Healthwatch or by a different provider. In either situation Local Healthwatch will have to support individuals in accessing information and independent advocacy if they need to complain about NHS services. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council and Dorset Council have pooled their funding, and are jointly tendering to commission the Local Healthwatch contract and the ICAS contract. It is expected that the contracts will commence on 01 April 2024 for an initial period of 3 years to 31 March 2027 and may be subsequently extended by a further 2 years to 31 March 2029 subject to satisfactory performance. Lot 1: Local Healthwatch Service Local Healthwatch is an organisation giving a stronger voice to people in influencing the health and wellbeing agenda and local service provision; providing signposting, supporting individuals with information and advice about access to services and NHS complaints advocacy. Local Healthwatch has to be provided at all times by an organisation that is a social enterprise. The Vision for the Dorset Local Healthwatch is to be the “voice of the people” coordinating and bringing people’s views and experiences to improve health and social care and to be: • A well led, high quality organisation that is effectively managed and organised with clear and transparent priorities. • Well known, independent, trusted and accessible to everyone. • Operating seamlessly across the two areas. • Influential and respected by decision makers and service providers. Lot 2: Independent Complaints Advocacy (NHS Services) The Independent Complaints Advocacy Service (NHS Services) will ensure that independent advocacy skills are used to provide practical support and direction to people to assist them finding a resolution to their complaint about NHS services in the local authority areas of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and Dorset Council. The service must be fully compliant with all relevant regulations of the Health and Social Care Act 2012. The service provider for this contract needs to have at least two years’ experience of the provision of advocacy including experience of working with children and young people, people with mental health problems, learning disabilities, challenging behaviours, sensory disabilities, little or no English, differing cultural backgrounds, bereavement issues and those in distress. It is recognised that many advocacy groups do not work with both adults and children and young people and therefore would welcome a consortium or other types of multi-agency bid, as well as bids from single organisations with the relevant experience.