Any Qualified Provider - NECS439 Community Age Related Hearing Loss Service for an on behalf of NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NHS NENC ICB)

North of England Commissioning Support (NECS) is working for and on behalf of NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NHS NENC ICB) in the localities of Hartlepool, Stockton-On-Tees, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland who have commissioned a Community Age Related Hearing Loss Service.

The contracts awarded provide a comprehensive service for adults aged 55 years and over experiencing hearing and communication difficulties who feel they might benefit from rehabilitation including the option of trying hearing aids with aftercare and support, following the principles of national commissioning frameworks and local requirements.

The contracts are for an initial 3 years plus the option to extend the contract for a further period of 24 months at the discretion of the Contracting Authority subject to satisfactory financial and contractual performance.

The procurement route of the AQP contracts has followed the basic principles that mirror that of the open procedure to test the capacity, capability, and technical competence of tenders in accordance with the Light Touch Regime within the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended), ensuring a fair, open and transparent process in accordance with NHS (Procurement, Patient Choice and Competition) (No. 2) Regulations 2013.

Under the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 the contracting authority has considered:

How what is proposed to be procured might improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of the patients / residents of the localities covered under the contract and how, in conducting the process of procurement, it might act with a view to securing the improvement. Accordingly, the subject matter of the contract has been scoped to take into account the priorities of the Contracting Authority relating to economic, social and environmental well-being.