PIN and Market Engagement Event - Adult Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Service for NHS England North Midlands

Description of the opportunity:

Arden and Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit, acting on behalf of NHS England North Midlands (the Commissioner) and its partners, will be commencing a tender for the provision of Adult Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Services across Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands and West Mercia. This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is to advise prospective providers of the Commissioner’s intention and a planned Market Engagement Event.

The Commissioner seeks providers able to demonstrate the achievement of excellent health and criminal justice outcomes, reliable assurance systems and the delivery of high service standards centred on the holistic needs of the client. The provider will be expected to deliver an open access 24/ 7 /365 sexual assault service for adults (18 years plus) who have been sexually assaulted or raped (acute and historic cases). Providers are expected to deliver a one stop service from named SARC locations, supported by referral pathways into appropriate local services for support and follow-up care.

The service is expected to provide a clinical consultation which will include the risk assessment of harm/self-harm, together with an assessment of vulnerability and sexual health; there will be immediate access to emergency contraception, post-exposure prophylaxis after sexual exposure (PEPSE) or other acute, mental health or sexual health services and follow-up as needed. The service model is more than a medical examination: it includes access to crisis workers (support staff), counselling and related support and governance activities.

Discussions regarding the inclusion of forensic medical examinations in the SARC service model are being held with commissioning partners and further detail will be provided at the bidder event. This list is not exhaustive and is subject to revision and clarification.

You can register for the Market Engagement Event by completing a short questionnaire on the BravoSolution website https://ardengemcsu.bravosolution.co.uk (project 514, pqq 267). Please note that the number of participants per organisation is 2 (two). For any support in registering or submitting your questionnaire please contact the eTendering Help-desk at 0800-011-2470 or help@bravosolution.co.uk. Participants can also contact Neli.Garbuzanova@ardengemcsu.nhs.uk for further information or clarifications. Note: This is not a PQQ, we are using this functionality within the Arden and GEM Bravo procurement portal to communicate with interested parties. This is purely an exercise to register your interest in this market place event.

Closing Date for registration: 5 September 2016 at 5pm. Please note that after this deadline the Commissioner cannot guarantee your place at the event.

For more information and agenda for the event please refer to the attached document (PIN and Market Engagement Event SARC).