Emergency Intervention Vehicle - Mental Health Joint Response in Suffolk and North East Essex

This is a Contract Award Notice to communicate a contract award made by the Contracting Authority; Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, (hereinafter referred to as "the Authority") in compliance with their local standing financial instructions (SFIs).

A Voluntary Ex Ante Transparency notice (VEAT) pertaining to this was published on 17th April 2023.

In line with the Mental Health Investment Standard, Mental Health Implementation Plan and Long Term Plan investment in provision of mental health specific initiatives should be in place during 23/24 enabling such initiatives as a dedicated joint response vehicle with paramedic and mental health practitioners to be in place to support the Mental Health Crisis and Liaison programme and long term plan priority to reduce ambulance conveyance to Urgent and Emergency Care facilities.

The Mental Health Joint Response car will be delivered in partnership between East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) and Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), with a Paramedic being provided by EEAST, and a Mental Health Practitioner being provided by EPUT.

This will require 2 separate contractual agreements with each provider. The EEAST contract will be a new agreement to support the change in service provision, whereas the EPUT contract will be a variation on the current crisis service contract.

The car will respond to mental and physical health crisis needs in the community and as the pilot has already gathered evidence of success, there is now the requirement to put in place a longer-term commissioning arrangement.

The new contract proposed will be for a period of 36 months with the option to extend for a further 24 months. The new contract will start on 1st April 2023 and will end on 31st March 2026 with the option to extend from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2028.

The value of this contract without extension is £777,798, increasing to £1,296,330 if extended by a further 24 months.