The services to which this project relates fall within Part B of Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 (‘the regulations' and Annex II B to Council Directive 2004/18/EC). The contracting authority is publishing this notice on a voluntary basis and is bound by the regulations only in so much as they apply to Part B services. A similar advertisement has been placed on www.supply2health.nhs.uk under ref No: 0AE/13/0005
Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (Wiltshire CCG) is advertising the opportunity to provide a midwife led service community maternity service delivering high quality support and care for women and their families in the planning stages of pregnancy, during pregnancy, labour and the period following the baby's birth. Services will be flexible and ‘needs' focussed to ensure safety of the mother and child.
This contract will serve a large geographical area with 4 Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) populations. It will operate (in terms of deliveries) out of the Princess Anne Wing at the Royal United Hospital in Bath and community birthing units in Paulton, Shepton Mallet, Frome, Trowbridge and Chippenham.
Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) regulations will apply to this contract, further information will be available at invitation to tender (ITT) stage.
Historic activity.
The number of births by commissioning area for 2012/13 was:
West & North Wiltshire: 2267;
Bath and North East Somerset: 1841;
Somerset - Mendip: 659;
South Gloucestershire: 206;
Total Births: 4973.
Outcomes and local priorities.
It is the intention of commissioners to commission an outcomes based service, based on national standards, the NHS Outcomes Framework and outcomes in relation to the local priorities listed below.
- Healthy lifestyle in pregnancy – improving breastfeeding rates, reducing smoking in pregnancy rates, improved motivational interviewing and brief intervention skills for maternity staff
- Early identification of women with vulnerabilities and complex needs early in pregnancy, leading to optimum and appropriate care and support to reduce the risk of adverse outcomes.
- Multi-agency antenatal care
- Cross border working and communication to ensure continuity of care for women transferring mid-pregnancy, improved integration and communication with local health partners (e.g. GP's) and Early Year's agencies.
- Professional development of midwifery skills and additional skills specifically in relation to safeguarding
Note: this list of local priorities is not exhaustive and subject to change in order to meet local demands.
Financial.
Maternity services will be funded via the maternity tariff in the following areas:
Ante-natal care
Delivery
Post natal care
Indicative contract value = 21m GBP per annum.
Values are indicative. Actual contract value will depend upon actual demand for the service and the tariff payable.
Contract period – 3 years, with a start date of 1.5.2014.
National standards.
The service will be expected to adhere to all national and local guidance and standards relating to maternity services and the quality and equal opportunities agenda.
e.g.
- NICE guidelines;
- RCOG Standards of Maternity Care (RCOG, 2008);
- UK National Screening Committee Standards for Antenatal and Newborn Screening;
- Safer Childbirth (RCOG, 2007);
- Disability Discrimination Act 1995.
The closing date for organisations to express an interest and submit their completed PQQ is 17:00 hours on the 3.7.2013.
Organisations who express an interest should note that an information event will be held on the 10th June 2013. All questions and responses from this information event will be made available to all organisations who express an interest in this opportunity. The event is likely to take place in Devizes but full details will be provided to organisations that have expressed an interest via the NHS Sourcing e-tendering portal shortly.