Independent public voice, challenge and assurance function in support of NHS Essex Integrated Care Board's Population Health Improvement Programme (PHIP)

NHS Essex Integrated Care Board (the Authority) has awarded a contract to Healthwatch Essex Ltd (Healthwatch Essex) for the delivery of an independent public voice, challenge and assurance function in support of the Population Health Improvement Programme (PHIP). The proposed contract may be effective from 02nd September 2026 for an initial period of two years to 01st September 2028, with an option to extend for a further two years to 01st September 2030.

The estimated annual contract value is up to £400,000, giving a total potential contract value of up to £1.6 million over the full four-year term. The purpose of the contract is to ensure that the views and experiences of Essex residents, particularly those most likely to be affected by strategic commissioning decisions and service transformation, are independently gathered, represented and reported throughout the implementation of the PHIP.

The requirement extends beyond engagement, consultation or research activity alone. A key objective is to provide independent challenge, scrutiny and assurance, while maintaining public confidence that residents' views can be expressed openly and reported independently of the Authority.

The PHIP is already being implemented alongside wider system transformation, including local government reform and evolving commissioning arrangements. The Authority therefore requires a provider that can mobilise immediately and operate effectively across Essex from the commencement of the contract.

Delays associated with establishing new infrastructure, relationships, networks or community trust would create a significant risk that valuable public insight and independent challenge could be lost during critical stages of programme delivery. The Authority has considered whether the requirement could reasonably be delivered by an alternative provider.

Whilst other organisations may be capable of delivering individual elements of engagement, participation, research or advisory services, the Authority has concluded that successful delivery of this requirement depends on a combination of recognised independence, established public trust, countywide reach, local infrastructure, community relationships, the ability to provide independent challenge and reporting, and immediate operational readiness. Healthwatch Essex has an established role within Essex as an independent public voice organisation, supported by an existing countywide infrastructure, longstanding relationships with residents and community organisations, and established mechanisms for gathering, representing and reporting local people's experiences.

The Authority considers these characteristics to be fundamental to the delivery of the contract and necessary to achieve its intended outcomes. The Authority has therefore concluded that there is no reasonable alternative provider capable of delivering an equivalent independent public voice, challenge and assurance function within Essex with the same combination of public recognition, community trust, local infrastructure and immediate mobilisation capability.

Accordingly, the Authority considers Healthwatch Essex to be the only provider capable of delivering the requirement in the manner necessary to achieve the objectives of the contract. The award of this contract is subject to the Procurement Act 2023 and associated regulations.

The contract is a non-healthcare services contract and falls within the scope of the Act. The estimated value exceeds the applicable threshold for sub-central contracting authorities and is therefore subject to the full requirements of the legislation.

The contract has been awarded and this Contract Details Notice communicates such award under the Procurement Act 2023. The decision-maker for this award is the NHS Essex ICB Executive Board, having regard to the value and duration of the proposed contract.

The Authority has undertaken an appropriate and proportionate review of declarations and is satisfied that effective arrangements are in place to identify and manage any actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest. Where required, mitigation measures have been applied to ensure that no conflict confers an undue advantage or disadvantage. The Authority is therefore satisfied that no conflict of interest has adversely affected, or is capable of adversely affecting, the integrity of the procurement.