Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group - GP 999 Car

Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group ("the CCG") is seeking to recommission their GP 999 car provision.

The provision of the GP 999 car seeks to enable a higher level of support made available to patients that have a paramedic crew in attendance. Providers would be asked to work collaboratively with clinicians within the 999 hub identifying cases within the 999 call stack.

The service will offer home visits to patients, by a GP, and where possible avoid a conveyance to the Emergency Department. The GP can also offer telephone advice to paramedics on scene, with an aim to achieve the same objective and ensure the most appropriate care is provided to address the needs of the patient.

The avoidance can be facilitated by (although is not limited to) on scene treatment of the patient, prescription of medications, or referral to another more appropriate service. This will release emergency ambulance crews to attend patients more promptly and reduce pressures on Emergency Departments.

The service is expected to support patients, where possible, in their own home, and reduce disruption for patients and their families associated with unrequired transfers to Hospital.

The GP 999 Vehicle Response Car will aim to support the wider health community by reducing conveyances to the local ED. More specifically:

The aim of the service is to cover the county of Somerset from at least two bases within the county.

This will be a faced paced service that enables GPs to engage in reactive work. It will require a more advanced skillset as GP's are required to make 'on the ground' decisions to ensure that patient outcomes are as positive as they can be within a given situation.

Activity levels seen within the contract for 19/20 were circa 2348 with cases ranging from 522 to 670 per quarter.

The contract is £689k per annum and will be for an initial term of 3 years, with an option to extend for any period up to a further 2 years; commencing in July 2022.

This procurement is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.