Individual Placement Contract -MH0228 Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability

A period of inpatient assessment and intervention within the Neuro-behavioural Service at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHND) to review patient's care needs and Huntingdon's disease symptom management, and to optimise her level of function and engagement with a view to reduce her overall care The patient has advanced Huntington's disease with severe behavioural disturbance and complex physical health needs that can no longer be safely managed in their current psychiatric ward setting.

RHND is a nationally recognised specialist provider with the expertise and facilities to meet these immediate care needs and has confirmed capacity to accept the referral without delay. Given the significant clinical risk associated with any delay and the absence of suitable alternatives, a competitive process is not feasible.

This direct award is a time-limited, appropriate, and proportionate response to an urgent need, with a review to follow in line with PSR guidance. Discussed at MH/LDA Joint Funding Panel on 26th June 2025.

Panel recommended admission to specialist placement at Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHND). Signed off by CFO Helen Jameson on 31st July 2025.

Contract start date: 13/08/2025. To be reviewed initially after 6 weeks and then every 3 months.

Additional information: This contract has been awarded under the urgent circumstances provision of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). This contract has been awarded under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.

For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The award has been made under Regulation 14 due to urgent clinical need: the patient has advanced Huntington's disease with complex physical care requirements and severe behavioural disturbance, and their current psychiatric ward setting is no longer clinically appropriate or sustainable.

An immediate transfer was necessary to prevent further deterioration and risk of harm, and there were no suitable local alternatives available within the timeframe required. A competitive process was therefore not feasible without compromising patient safety.

The selected provider, the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability (RHN), has confirmed immediate capacity and is a clinically appropriate and cost-effective provider for this highly specialised care. The contract duration is up to 12 months, which is necessary to ensure continuity of care and clinical stability while long-term arrangements are reviewed and planned appropriately.

The decision to award the contract was made by Helen Jameson, Chief Finance Officer in line with organisational governance. No conflicts of interest were declared by any individual involved in the decision-making process. A conflict of interest check was completed and recorded, and no actual or perceived conflicts required mitigation.