End of Life 24/7 Phone Hub Service for East Berkshire CCG

The following is a PIN notice only and is being placed to alert providers to a potential future procurement exercise for a twenty four hours a day, seven days a week ("24/7") Phone Hub Service dedicated to end of life care. Any values and timescales stated within this PIN notice are for guideline purposes only and should not be taken as a guarantee.

NHS East Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Group ("the CCG") wishes to re-commission a service which offers 24/7 access to advice and guidance (including prescribing) for all those involved in end of life care (defined as the last twelve months of life) for any patient (aged over 18) who is registered with an East Berkshire GP (including temporary residents). This includes (but is not limited to) any health and social care professional, the patients themselves and their families/carers.

This service forms a critical part of the integrated approach with the wider Urgent and Emergency Care offer in East Berkshire and will need to link directly with the local 111 and EoLC Rapid Response services. The CCG's vision for people at the end of their lives is that they, their families, and the professionals involved in their care have 24/7 365 day access to specialist palliative advice and guidance, which ensures that care provision is joined up, and responsive.

The service will aim to support individuals to remain in their preferred place of care and reduce avoidable ambulance conveyancing and hospital admissions. It will also engender confidence amongst professionals in supporting the delivery of exceptional end of life care. Timely access to advice and support will also minimise distress to families and people at the end of life knowing that at any time of the day they can reach experienced, specialist, and local clinicians.

For a more detailed breakdown of specific service requirements please see the accompanying document attached.

Additional information: These services are health related services as defined by the The National Health Service (Procurement, Patient Choice and Competition) (No. 2) Regulations 2013 and any procurement undertaken will be subject only to those regulations which specifically apply to such services. For the avoidance of doubt the CCG does not intend to be bound by any rules or regulations beyond those directly applicable to health related services.