National Framework Agreement for the Provision of Autism and ADHD Assessment Services

The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust wishes to establish a Framework Agreement under The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 and The Health Services (Provider Selection Regime) (Wales) Regulations 2025

"Relevant Authority" is defined in section 12ZB(7) of the National Health Service Act 2006 and in section 10A(9) of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006. It means a combined authority, an integrated care board, a local authority in England, NHS England, an NHS foundation trust or an NHS trust established under section 25 of the National Health Service Act 2006, a county council or county borough council in Wales, a local health board established under section 11 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006, a National Health Service trust established under section 18 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006, or a special health authority established under section 22 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006.

For the avoidance of doubt, any successor bodies of any of the above entities shall be entitled to place Orders and shall be deemed Relevant Authorities for the purposes of this Framework.

Demand for autism and ADHD assessment and diagnosis services has increased significantly in recent years, with waiting lists in some areas now years long. In order to address this backlog, many NHS organisations are outsourcing portions of this service to

increase capacity, either on a short- or long-term basis. This Framework Agreement will provide a quick and compliant route to contract for these services.

The overall aim of the Framework Agreement is to provide an assessment and diagnosis service for autism, ADHD and/or combined autism and ADHD for both adult and paediatric patients. For patients on the ADHD or combined pathway this may also include medication prescribing, titration and review.

This notice concerns the opening of the Framework opportunity for applications from new potential Providers.

Previously appointed Providers are NOT obliged to re-apply.

The term of the framework agreement will be 3 years.