Low Calorie Diets Programme - Early Market Engagement

This Notice solely relates to early market engagement around the development of a Low Calorie Diets (LCD) programme, which will aim to pilot optimal implementation models for programmes delivering European standard total diet replacement (TDR) products to people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. NHS England wishes to notify potential providers about its intention to commence early market engagement in advance of a potential commissioning process to support its emerging Low Calorie Diets programme.

The programme will seek to provide a total diet replacement product alongside a structured programme of support including food reintroduction and weight loss maintenance to people with Type 2 diabetes. Testing of Low Calorie Diets is a commitment of the NHS Long Term Plan and is being delivered as part of NHS England's Diabetes Programme, a joint partnership between NHS England, Public Health England and Diabetes UK.

This will be the first programme to pilot at scale delivery models of a total diet replacement (TDR) and structured support offer in the NHS. The NHS Long Term Plan highlighted that medical research has shown that some people living with type 2 diabetes can achieve remission by adopting a low calorie total diet replacement.

This market engagement event will inform plans for the introduction and evaluation of a low calorie diets programme, for people with type 2 diabetes in England. Through the market engagement event, NHS England is seeking information from providers to inform decisions about the; - Commissioning approach to the programme; - Current capacity and capabilities of the market to meet demand; - Maturity of the current market, and likelihood that the market allows for a competitive process to be established; - Scope to incorporate innovative approaches to maximise participation and adherence to the programme.

At this stage it is anticipated that this procurement will support the pilot phase of up to 5000 participants. However, based on the outcomes of the pilots, further roll out and additional procurement activity may be considered.

To register on the portal for this procurement please access the following link: https://nhsengland.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.html . Once registered please also complete the supplier RFI Questionnaire which can be found within PQQ_64 under Project 3977.

Potential providers are encouraged to attend the market engagement event to hear more detail on current plans, and to share insight to further inform these plans. The event is to be held on June 24th 2019, 11am - 4pm in central London.

Please note that attendance is limited to a maximum of two participants per organisation and registration with the national team is essential prior to the event to secure a place. Following registration further details will be communicated.