Children's Integrated Therapies and Equipment Service - NHS/SOEPS/22.843 - RFI/Market Engagement

Commissioners in NHS Sussex wish to procure an integrated therapy and equipment service for children and young people in East Sussex. This is a process designed to help the Commissioner form a view of the best way to commission the service and is not the beginning of a Tender exercise. A further Tender advertisement will be issued at the appropriate time where required. Your feedback at this point will not have a bearing on any future Tender submissions you may wish to offer at a later date. You will not be disadvantaged if you choose not to respond to this RFI, but it will be helpful to understand your views at this early stage, so you are encouraged to respond as fully as you can.

The Children's Integrated Therapy Service (CITS) brings together the health and local authority provision across the therapy services of Speech and Language, Occupational and Physiotherapy AND the assessment, prescription, and supply of relevant equipment.

The fundamental aims of integrating the commissioning of children's therapy services and equipment is to remove duplication and inefficiencies, promote equality of access and increase value for money, with the resulting service improvements for children, young people, parents, and carers.

The Children's Integrated Therapy and Equipment Service's will ensure that all children and young people known to the service achieve their best possible developmental potential, physical and emotional health, and well-being both in childhood and through transition into adulthood.

The Children's Integrated Therapy and Equipment Service has a key role to play in the services for children with SEN and Disability and is required to contribute to the SEND Reforms of the Children and Families Act 2014.

The Contract period for this service is for 3 years + option of the authority to extend a further 2 years.

Contract value per annum is £4.5 million. Total contract for 5 years = £22.5 million.

Please complete your response and return it via https://in-tendhost.co.uk/soepscommissioning/aspx/Home by no later than Thursday 22nd December 2022 at noon.