DHC DH1389 Recovery Houses and Step-Down Bed Provision

The requirement is for the provision of community based short-term residential stays, providing care for those in a mental health crisis, as an alternative to hospital admission and to provide care following hospital discharge.

Further to the previous Pre-Market Notice, there is a pre-market engagement event planned for 10:00am -11:30am on Wednesday 5th August 2026 at Cobham Sports and Social Club, Wimborne, BH21 3DA for this tender.

The exercise is for a dual requirement for Recovery Houses and Step-Down Beds:

Recovery “Crisis” Houses

Offer community based, short-term residential stays, providing supportive and least restrictive care for those in a mental health crisis, as an alternative to hospital admission. Nationally often referred to as “Crisis Houses”, in Dorset these are named “Recovery Houses”

Step-Down Beds

Offer a community based, interim residential stays, for people who are in an acute mental health bed who are ready for discharge, whose discharge could safely take place if dedicated support is in place in a step-down setting (either in preparation for return home or in support of identification of appropriate onward accommodation and support) .

During the event, further information regarding the tender will be provided and there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

Participants should note that Dorset HealthCare reserves the right to use any information shared within this market engagement event to develop a mature service specification for future procurement purposes. Any costs incurred by participating in this exercise must be borne by the participating organisations.

Following this exercise, Dorset HealthCare will determine how it will approach the market to secure the services. Please note that any future procurement will be subject to further advertisement. Participation in this market engagement event will not automatically entitle any organisation’s involvement in this procurement, and non-attendance will not preclude an organisation from bidding for the subsequent tender.

If you are interested in attending this event, please express your interest by emailing p.spender@nhs.net and dercia.pestana@nhs.net no later than midday on Monday 3rd August 2026.

Thank you.