VEAT notice for the City of London Healthwatch Services

This VEAT Notice indicates that the Contracting Authority intends to directly award a Public Services contract under Regulation 32 (1) ( 2) (b) (ii) and (iii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 for the provision of the City of London Healthwatch Services. The services will be delivered on a 36-month contract with 12 months + 12 months optional extension period.

The Negotiated Procedure without Prior Publication is being followed and is justified under Regulation 32 (1) (2) (b) (ii) and (iii) .

Healthwatch is a statutory service which was established under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use health and social care services and to speak out on their behalf. The Contracting Authority has a duty under Section 130 of the Act to have in place a Local Healthwatch organization.

Through its core functions the Healthwatch service supports the achievement of the strategic ambitions of the local health and care system, while operating as an organisation that is independent of these systems. This includes working with local residents to understand and represent their views and experiences of local health and care services. Healthwatch also has a key role in promoting and supporting residents to be actively involved in the commissioning and provision of local services and in their scrutiny once services are in place. Healthwatch also performs a vital function in considering the standard of health and care provision and working with partners to achieve improvements, Finally, Healthwatch offers advice and information about access to health and care services to enable residents to make informed choices.