In 2014 NHS Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, through an Any Qualified Provider Accreditation Process, sought organisations to provide a range of Elective Care procedures. Nuffield Health Taunton was awarded a zero volume contract through this process for Surgery and Out Patient Services. The range of services included in the contract support the principles and regulation of patient choice, particularly as it pertains to the NHS Constitution, the Standing Rules Regulations and the NHS Choice Framework. The currently contracted service expires in March 2018. In making this further award, the Commissioners awarding a contract for a further 24 months until 31 March 2020 with the current provider, Nuffield Health Taunton. The value of the guaranteed service awarded under this notice is zero; however, current service is approximately £2.2m per annum.

In 2014, NHS Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group, through an Any Qualified Provider Accreditation Process, sought organisations to provide a range of Elective Care procedures. Nuffield Health Taunton was awarded a zero volume contract through this process for Surgery and Out Patient Services which included:

— Trauma & Orthopaedics,

— Spinal Surgery Service,

— Ears, Nose and Throat,

— General Surgery,

— Gynaecology,

— Eyes and Periorbital,

— Female Reproductive System and Assisted Reproduction,

— Musculoskeletal System,

— Skin, Breast and Burns,

— Infectious Diseases, Immune System Disorders and other Healthcare contacts,

— Ear, Nose, Mouth, Throat, Neck and Dental

— Vascular Procedures and Disorders and Imaging Interventions.

The range of services included in the contract support the principles and regulation of patient choice, particularly as it pertains to the NHS Constitution, the Standing Rules Regulations and the NHS Choice Framework. The currently contracted service expires in March 2018. In making this further award, the Commissioners awarding a contract for a further 24 months until 31st March 2020 with the current provider, Nuffield Health Taunton. The value of the guaranteed service awarded under this notice is zero; however, current service is approximately £2.2m per annum. Nuffield Health Taunton continues to provide a good quality service that meets the needs and expectation of the Commissioner and Patients, and the Commissioner has no concerns regarding the proposed provider’s ability to deliver the service through to April 2020. As a result of all of the material factors noted above, the Negotiated procedure without prior publication has been followed and justified under regulation 32(2)(b)(ii) "competition is absent for technical reasons".