Friends in Need to NHS Frimley Integrated Care Board (ICB)

Concepts

• health services
• windsor
• mental health needs
• need group
• need facebook group
• need network
• more significant mental health needs
• need facebook
• (mh integrated community service
• nhs

Location

Windsor

Description

NHS Frimley ICB ("the Commissioner") sought to commission Buckinghamshire Mind to provide a 'Friends in Need' Service. The overall aim of the service is to provide a community-based offer to support people with mental health needs to reduce loneliness and isolation, increase wellbeing and social connections, support recovery by increasing individual resilience, awareness and understanding of mental health, support greater self-care, preventing and reducing the likelihood of a mental health crisis through peer support, groups, and activities. The Commissioner is directly awarding a contract to the existing provider Buckinghamshire Mind in accordance with the criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The total value of the contract is £150,918.50 per annum, total expected spend (including VAT), for the initial three year contract term is £452,755.50. The full lifetime contract value (three years + two year extension) is £754,592.50. The three-year contract period will commence on the 01st April 2024.

Total Quantity or Scope

NHS Frimley ICB ("the Commissioner") sought to commission a 'Friends in Need' Service. A summary of the purposes and objectives of the services are:-are: - The Friends in Need (FiN) service is a quality driven and accessible peer led community for anyone affected by mental health challenges. In 2016/17 the service was based in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and in 2017/18 the service was expanded to incorporate both Slough and Bracknell & Ascot. Initially the programme was designed primarily to support people affected by isolation and loneliness which often accompanies people suffering from depression and mental health problems. Alongside delivery of the community mental health transformation and formation of our new MHICS (MH integrated community service) teams who support people with more significant mental health needs and co-morbidities such as substance misuse in the community: the scope of FiN has been expanded to ensure people experiencing a wider range of mental health problems (diagnosed or undiagnosed) and social determinants of need can access the hugely impactful groups and support. The over-arching principle of FiN however remains the same as it looks to bring people (regardless of their diagnosis) together to build their own sustainable peer support networks within their local area and online. It enables likeminded people to find friends and activities in their local area and online with the Friends in Need Facebook group. Over the years the Friends in Need network has become a well-regarded and established service amongst the local community with several groups and activities available every day of the week all year around. The Friends in Need group supporting ages 17-25 will continue to develop and support the different needs and peer support requirements of that group which is already seeing activity increasing every quarter. The Commissioner is directly awarding a contract to the existing provider Buckinghamshire Mind in accordance with the criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The total value of the contract is £150,918.50 per annum, total expected spend (including VAT), for the initial three year contract term is £452,755.50. The full lifetime contract value (three years + two year extension) is £754,592.50. The three year contract period will commence on the 01st April 2024. This procurement has been carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.

Award Detail

Renewal Options

Option to extend for 2 years

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85100000 - Health services

Indicators

• Options are available.
• Award on basis of price.

Legal Justification

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 08th April 2024. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.

Other Information

The Commissioner made the decision of directly awarding the incumbent provider Buckinghamshire Mind in accordance with the following five criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. • Quality and innovation • Value • Integration, collaboration, and service sustainability • Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice • Social value It has been advised that Buckinghamshire Mind has the evidenced ability to deliver the activity required to meet service requirements within the required region and that can deliver to the tight timescale. A direct award to Buckinghamshire Mind would be appropriate and present the best value for the Commissioner in this circumstance. No declared conflicts or potential conflicts of interest were identified during the decision-making process. This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by 08th April 2024. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR. Representations should be sent. - scwcsu.cbprocurement@nhs.net