NHS South Yorkshire ICB - Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service

Service Users who are eligible for transport will receive safe, timely, dignified and comfortable transport, without detriment to their medical condition. The service provider will ensure that service delivery is high quality, responsive, high performing, provides value for money, is environmentally efficient, considers sustainability and innovative in the use of information technology.

To provide a safe environment with suitable trained staff for Service Users to travel to their appointment. SY ICB are intending to award a contract to an existing provider following direct award process C.

The approx. lifetime value of the contract will be £5,025,900 for the 6 month period. The contract will run from 1st April 2025 to 30th September 2025.

Additional information: Key criteria used to make a decision: Key Criteria 1 - Quality & Innovation - Weighting 25%

There are currently no significant performance issues with the YAS contract. • There are no and have been no breach notices or remedial action against the contract

• The provider continues to meet with and engage with us a commissioner to discuss any concerns, issues or potential rationale for deviation in performance. Key Criteria 2 - Value - Weighting 20%

YAS is an anchor NHS organisation, rooted in Yorkshire & Humber with a long-term stake in improving patient outcomes and supporting the success of the whole system. The expertise and perspective the organisation brings to the table are valued across South Yorkshire.

It is estimated that around £460 million is spent on NEPTS a year across England – at an average cost of around £38 per journey. That represents about £1 in every £275 spent by the NHS, approximately the same as the total cost of radiotherapy.

For people with a medical or severe mobility need, non-emergency patient transport services (NEPTS) provide an essential means to access the NHS, who otherwise might not be able to attend appointments. The provider has a consistent approach to Eligibility and prioritises resource where it is most needed and contain service costs

YAS Lead Provider service model is flexible to take advantage of sub-contracted capacity where this offers VfM for the system There are currently no performance notices for any of the KPIs associated with the contract.

Key Criteria 3 - Integration, collaboration and service sustainability - Weighting 25% YAS also sits on the 4 Place UEC Boards which meet monthly, which consists of partners across SY including Trusts, Local Authority, Primary Care and VSCE sectors.

In 23/24 160,568 journeys for all mobilities was undertaken by the service provider. The Provider works collaboratively with system partners ensuring greater regional alignment to create a consistent minimum service offer for patients and acute trust partners- simpler interface, avoiding delays and confusion

PTS Patient Charter explains the providers responsibilities and commitment to providing the highest quality service to SY patients. It has been designed in conjunction with hospitals and other healthcare organisations and professionals in South Yorkshire.

In 2024, a South Yorkshire wide patient involvement survey was undertaken with YAS to see how the service could be improved. The Four Healthwatch's across South Yorkshire supported this work with YAS.

Feedback from patients included patients valued the NEPTS service and that is an essential part of people`s care and would limit or stop attendance at hospital appointments if not available to people that need it. The provider has actively listened to patients, staff, volunteers, our SY communities and our healthcare partners to make sure their strategy is reflective of their views and expectations:

The provider has committed to deliver the most clinically appropriate response for every patient, wherever and where they need it. Provide care that is personalised, joined up and co-ordinated with the wider healthcare system, deliver quality care that is evidence informed, person centred, safe and compassionate and provide support and care delivered by professional, kind and respectful staff.

Key Criteria 4 - Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice - Weighting 20% The service is available to those who meet the national eligibility criteria.

Ensuring that those patients receive safe, timely and comfortable transport to their destination providing the most appropriate vehicle and workforce to undertake the journey irrespective of the Service User’s mobility. In South Yorkshire there is a population of 1.37 millions, 18% of people aged 65 and over, 36.7% of people live in the bottom 20% of most deprived areas nationally. 16.9% belong to an ethnic minority, Prevalence of issues related to obesity and smoking, such as breathing problems, diabetes and heart disease

Key Criteria 5 - Social Value - Weighting 10% Current Initiatives in line with the NHS Green Plan Continuing to deliver on the Green Plan.