Greater Manchester Trans Health Service

NHS England is the direct commissioner of specialised health interventions for the alleviation of gender dysphoria, which is characterised by a strong and persistent cross-gender identification (such as stating a desire to be the other sex or frequently passing as the other sex) coupled with persistent discomfort with his or her sex.

NHS England (National) will commission and directly contract for an early adopter pilot (Trans Health Service) that will evaluate how the treatment interventions delivered by a specialist Gender Dysphoria Clinic can be delivered by a primary care team in a local setting, adapted to meet the specific needs of the population of Greater Manchester. NHS England invites expressions of interest in the provision of the early adopter pilot over 2 years, from 2019.

Estimated Total Value: < £2 million (2-year contract)

The current model for delivery of non-surgical therapeutic interventions for adults with gender dysphoria is restricted to seven Gender Dysphoria Clinics in England, who provide: assessment, diagnosis; overall care coordination; and who deliver or arrange access to psychological interventions and voice and communication therapy; and make recommendations for prescribing of endocrine therapies.

NHS England will commission and directly contract for an early adopter pilot that will evaluate how the service delivered by a specialist Gender Dysphoria Clinic (adults from 17 years of age) can be delivered by a primary care team in a local setting. The primary care team will receive accredited academic and experiential training funded by NHS England. The scope of delivery will be developed on a phased basis (6 to 9 months) to reflect the increased competencies attained through the accredited training programme.

The Trans Health Service will have a formal relationship with a Gender Dysphoria Clinic that is commissioned by NHS England. The Trans Health Service and the Gender Dysphoria Clinic will work together to develop the necessary joint working arrangements for the management of individuals accessing the service.

The Trans Health Service will participate in a formal evaluation of the service over two years.

Additional information: To express an interest in providing the Greater Manchester Trans Health Service:

Please email scwcsu.procurement@nhs.net detailing your organisation name and the name, job title, email address and telephone number of the person) who would act as the main contact point. Please reference Project (GM Trans Health Service) South, Central and West CSU. FAO Nicola Hayward in the subject line of the email.

All interested parties will receive a copy of the draft Trans Health Service specification of requirements.

A market engagement event will also be held in February or March- date TBC. The event is open to potential providers of the Trans Health Service in Greater Manchester. Commissioners will give a presentation of the draft specification for delivery of the trans health service and providers will be invited to feedback through individual or group sessions.

Attendance is limited to two persons per organisation.

Providers wishing to attend the Market Engagement Event should email their interest to kevwe.raleigh-ekeke@nhs.net with the following details:

• Name of attendee(s)
• Job Title of attendee(s)
• Organisation details, including address and contact details.

This notice is an information gathering exercise rather than a call for competition in its own right, and therefore publication or response does not commit NHS England or respondents to a future procurement, nor provide any process exemptions or preferential treatment to any parties expressing an interest. NHS England will not be liable for costs incurred by any interested party in participating in this exercise.

Any procurement conducted as a result of this notice or market event will be advertised separately and all organisations wanting to participate will need to respond to the procurement advertisement as and when it is published. Providers who do not wish to respond to this notice or attend this Market Engagement Event will still be able to apply for the Procurement in the future. Please note that this notice and Market Engagement Event does not represent a formal stage in the procurement process and response or attendance will play no part in any subsequent evaluation process. The draft specification of requirements is subject to change including as an outcome of market engagement.

PLEASE NOTE: Deadline for expressions of interest and details for attendance at the Market Engagement Event is 12 noon 14th February 2019.