Provision of GP and Primary Care Nurses Careers Plus Services to NHS Somerset Integrated Care Board

The GP and Primary Care Nurses Careers Plus Services is a support and training service that is made available to all GPs who are thinking of leaving or returning to general practice, and may include those considering early retirement, those struggling in the middle stages of their career, those wanting to return to work after a long-term absence, for instance in a parenting role or after maternity leave.

The service sits specifically within the retention agenda focusing on those GPs and Nurses who are thinking of retiring or leaving General Practice having lost confidence or enthusiasm for their role. The objective of the service is to offer alternative work options where appropriate, retaining the skills of experienced health professionals and improving their job satisfaction.

As part of successful delivery of this support programme, the service provider is required to deliver a minimum of two new intensive, facilitated support groups a year to be added to the existing scheme for GPs (covering a minimum of 16 - 20 new GPs in total per annum dependent on demand). Additionally, the service provider would be required to provide capacity, advice and support to the Integrated Care System (ICS) Nursing Legacy Mentoring Programme which is providing coaching, mentoring and pastoral support to registered nurses in Primary Care. The Legacy Mentoring programme is being managed by the ICS Talent Hub (hosted by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust).

The contract has been awarded to Somerset Primary Healthcare. The Contract is for an initial term of 12 months, with an option to extend for any period up to a further 12 months. The total value of the contract is £158,000 for the initial 12 months contract term, with a total contract lifecycle value of £273,000 including the 12 months extension. The initial 12 months period contract has commenced on 30th May 2023.

The procurement was carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.