Long Covid Assessment Service

Concepts

• social work
• birkenhead
• community and personal services
• long covid
• service users needs
• long covid assessment service
• the social prescribing service
• the service
• the long covid service
• covid

Location

Wirral

Description

Citizen's Advice Wirral has provided this service for Long Covid since 2021 when the service was started. Our Social Prescriber has had training within our clinical systems and is able to access patient records which help to enhance the care that is available to our patients. DPIA is in place and has been updated accordingly.

Total Quantity or Scope

The intention is to award a contract to an existing provider following direct award process C. Citizen's Advice Bureau have been sub-contracted to provide the Social Prescribing service to support the Long Covid Service since the service was started back in September 2021, and have provided effective support in response to service user's needs. Citizen's Advice Wirral already provide Social Prescribers to both PCNs and GP Practices and therefore have the expertise to provide this service. They also have capacity to continue to support this service which enables us to have a fully functioning MDT to provide quality and effective support and treatment to patients coming through the service. The proposed contract value for 2024/25 is £20,033.00 which is a 5% rise from last years contract price and has risen to accommodate rising staffing costs through pay awards. Value will be £40,066 if the extension for 12 months to March 2026 is enacted.

Award Detail

Renewal Options

12 month extension to 31/03/2026

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 98000000 - Other community, social and personal services

Indicators

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

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 24th May 2024. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR

Other Information

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 at wchc.wchcpsr@nhs.net by 24th May 2024 This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR. The award decision-makers were the Trust's : Covid Lead Service Director Head of Finance Head of Procurement Deputy Director of Contracts & Commissioning Chief Finance Officer No conflicts or potential conflicts of interest were declared. Key Criteria were: Key Criterion 1. Quality and innovation 15 As part of our current contract, we meet with CAB managers on a quarterly basis to discuss the contract and how the service is meeting our needs as a service. A quarterly report is produced to be discussed at these meetings and includes the volume of patients seen by the Social Prescriber, a breakdown of the onward referrals made to other services. Case studies and patient feedback are also included in the quarterly reporting. The Social Prescriber also attends weekly MDT meetings and has the opportunity to discuss patient care, new community initiatives that might benefit our patients. Score 5 Weighting 15 Total 60 Key Criterion 2. Value The current contract with CAB provides us with a Social Prescriber for 2 days a week, this means that every patient coming through the service on clinic days has access to a Social Prescriber. CAB are also able to provide cover when there is planned annual leave. Score 4 Weighting 25 Total 100 Key Criterion 3. Integration, collaboration and service sustainability CAB Wirral work in collaboration with other agencies within the local area. These agencies would include social services, health services, voluntary sector, benefit advice. The Social Prescriber is a key player within the MDT, patients are able to be signposted to these agencies following their consultation in clinic and are able to access help and support when they need it. The Social Prescriber attends our weekly MDT meeting. Score 4 Weighting 25 Total 120 Key Criterion 4. Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice Tackling health inequalities is a key element of the Social Prescribing role. As a Service we have a health inequalities plan to try and address the needs of this population. For some patients coming through this service they have never encountered a Social Prescriber before because they may never of had to, so this service offers a bridge of support for these patients who due to illness have had to give up work, addressing health inequalities. Score 5 Weighting 25 Total 125 Key Criterion 5. Social value There are many community groups and organisations that the Social Prescriber can refer into. If a person has been signposted to the right organisations it could contribute to better health and economics outcomes reducing the need for health-related interventions. Score 5 Weighting 10 Total 50 Total 430