21.793 Primary Care Services for the Homeless (PIN)

This notice is to inform the market of the intention to directly award up to a 12-month (6+6) contract to ARCH CIC for the provision of Primary Care Services for the Homeless for NHS Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group ('the CCG') from 1st April 2022.

Due to the Covid emergency, commissioners have been unable to undertake a procurement process to award a new long-term contract from 1st April 2022. Therefore, to ensure continuity of service, commissioners are seeking to directly award up to a 12-month (6+6) contract under Regulation 32, to the incumbent provider. This will allow commissioners adequate time to determine the most appropriate path to commission a long-term service from 1st April 2023.

The need to meet the health care needs of this population is set out and demonstrated in the Brighton Placed Based Plan 21 [8/07/21]. Brighton and Hove have a high homeless population, with more homeless people arriving in the city regularly. Therefore, there is a significant need in the city to address accommodation and healthcare needs for this transient population.

This service will provide Primary Medical Services and Primary Care plus Services to the homeless and vulnerably housed population of Brighton and Hove.

The existing provider ARCH CIC are established and trusted by the homeless population and providers delivering primary care services to the homeless population of Brighton and Hove and have held the contract for this service since 1st February 2017. ARCH CIC CQC rating is outstanding, and the service has built the existing infrastructure, staff, relationships, trust and an in-depth knowledge of delivering health care to this complex and vulnerable population.

The up to 12-month direct award intention set out in this notice will allow commissioners adequate time over this busy period, to comprehensively shape the homeless primary care service and determine the most appropriate route to commission the requirement from 1st April 2023, as the health and care system moves towards an Integrated Care System (ICS).

This proposal is made in the context of meeting patient need, maintaining service delivery and quality, and supporting the ambition as set out in national and local plans.