Digital Inclusion Research Package

North of England Commissioning Support (NECS) is working for and on behalf of NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) (the Contracting Authority) who wish seek expressions of interest to deliver a Digital Inclusion Research Package for the North East and Cumbria region. The contract will be for a period of 6 months, commencing in April 2023 with a contract value of £20,000. The service will cover the following areas:

North Cumbria, Northumbria, Newcastle, and Gateshead South Tyneside & Sunderland, County Durham and Darlington, North Tees and South Tees. The work package title is "Understanding the scope, scale and impact of digital inequalities in Maternity in the North East and North Cumbria".

Overview - aims and expected outcomes

Technology has become an almost invisible part of most of our lives. Those in society who can easily access and use a digital device and mobile data can also access essential health-related information and services. However, digital exclusion in maternity is a barrier to women and families accessing timely, relevant, up-to-date information or services using technology and the internet. While our LMNS Equity and Equality Action Plan is informed by robust analysis of equity data, there is a gap in our understanding of the scope, scale and impact of digital exclusion in maternity in the North East and North Cumbria. Where digital inclusion data is available, we are left to infer either its relevance to our region or its application to our maternity and neonatal population. In order to target our resources most effectively and avoid operating from assumption, further information is needed.

To that end, we are seeking to support our service improvement capability by commissioning a coproduced report that both provides a snapshot that deepens our understanding of digital inequalities in the North East and North Cumbria and sets out a roadmap for data capture on digital inclusion to inform ongoing learning and action. It's expected a mixture of methods would be utilised which may include desk research, surveys in partnership with MVPs, engagement with nominated staff.

Additional information: Any organisations who would be interested in submitting a quotation for this contract must submit an expression of interest by 12:00 noon on Friday 31 March 2023. Only those organisations who express an interest by this this date/time will be invited to submit a quotation.

In order to express an interest in this opportunity, organisations must register on the Intend Portal. The In-Tend e-Tendering portal can be found at: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/nhsnecsu/aspx/Home. To register your interest in delivering this service, please confirm by answering the questions on Digital Inclusion Research Package - Expression of Interest (EoI). It is free to register on the portal and it can be accessed at any time of day providing you have a working internet connection. Should suppliers have any queries, or are having problems registering on the portal; they should contact the In-tend helpdesk via: support@in-tend.com or call us on 0845 557 8079 / +44 (0) 114 407 0065 The helpdesk is open Monday - Friday between 9am - 5.30pm

Expressions of Interest must be submitted by 12:00 noon on Friday 31 March 2023.