Northumberland Respiratory Infection Service (Winter Pressures) Most Suitable Provider Process
NHS NORTH EAST AND NORTH CUMBRIA INTEGRATED CARE BOARDEstimated Value
Up to £660,000
Deadline
30 June 2026
Published
16 June 2026
Type
services
Overview
North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (Relevant Authority) intend to follow the Most Suitable Provider (MSP) process to award contracts for short term Acute Respiratory Infection services in response to winter pressures in Northumberland (a temporary service). No additional funding will be provided for mobilisation/premises.
Estimate annual value is £165,000 (Estimated total for notice is based on a 4 year (2+1+1) contract. Previous Market Engagement related to this notice was published on 21 November 2025.
Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-076019. NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (the Relevant Authority) intends to follow the Most Suitable Provider (MSP) process to award a contract for the provision of short term Acute Respiratory Infection service in Northumberland.
Key dates
- Commences
- 01 September 2026
- Duration
- 2 years
Eligibility & compliance
Providers must have suitable premises to provide services from.
Submission
To submit an Expression of Interest, a provider must fully complete and submit a response to this opportunity by 30 June 2026, 11:59:59 PM.
Additional details
The Service Specification document outlines the requirements for delivering the service which will be required to be mobilised in a timely manner upon notification by the Relevant Authority in response to seasonal winter pressures. The contract will be for a period of 2 years with the option to extend for a further 24 months at the discretion of the Relevant Authority and subject to satisfactory financial and contractual performance commencing on 01 September 2026. Estimate annual value is £165,000 (Estimated total for notice is based on a 4 year (2+1+1) contract.
AI Analysis
Powered by AI — always verify against official documents
The NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board is looking for a healthcare provider to run a temporary Acute Respiratory Infection service in Northumberland during winter months when demand is highest. This is a short-term contract worth approximately £165,000 per year, starting September 2026, to help manage seasonal winter pressures on the NHS.
Requirements
- Must be a suitable provider able to deliver acute respiratory infection services
- Must have suitable premises already available to deliver services from (no additional funding provided for mobilisation or premises)
- Must be able to mobilise services quickly when requested by the Integrated Care Board
- Must be able to start services by 1 September 2026
- Must meet the detailed requirements outlined in the Service Specification document
- Must demonstrate satisfactory financial and contractual performance to qualify for contract extensions
Key Tasks & Deliverables
- Provide acute respiratory infection assessment and treatment services in Northumberland
- Operate from suitable existing premises (provider's own or leased)
- Be ready to mobilise services rapidly when NHS notifies you of winter pressure activation
- Deliver services according to the Service Specification requirements
- Maintain service delivery standards to support contract extension options
How to Read This Tender
- 1MSP (Most Suitable Provider) process is a simplified NHS procurement route — it's faster and less formal than standard tendering, so focus on demonstrating you're the right fit rather than competing on price alone.
- 2The contract runs 2 years initially (1 September 2026 to 31 August 2028) with two optional 1-year extensions — this gives stability but isn't guaranteed beyond year 2, so plan accordingly.
- 3The estimated annual value of £165,000 is spread across 4 years in the total estimate, meaning the yearly budget is fixed at that amount; check the Service Specification to understand exact service volumes and staffing expectations.
- 4Critical deadline: you must submit your Expression of Interest by 30 June 2026, 11:59:59 PM — this is your only chance to apply; missing it means you're out.
- 5The notice mentions 'Previous Market Engagement' published 21 November 2025 — find and read that document as it likely contains early specification details and feedback that shaped this final notice.
Tips for Small Businesses
- You must already have suitable premises available — don't bid if you'll need to secure new premises or require the NHS to help fund a building, as the contract explicitly states 'no additional funding will be provided for mobilisation/premises'.
- This is a winter-only seasonal service, so plan your staffing and resources to flex up during winter (likely October–March) and down in summer; clarify exact seasonal demand windows in the Service Specification before bidding.
- Consider partnering with an established NHS provider as a subcontractor if you lack NHS experience — the MSP process often favours reliability and rapid mobilisation over novelty, so proven operational capability matters more than being the cheapest option.
Likely incumbents
Suppliers who won similar work from this buyer in the last 5 years.
- 1
Durham Dales Health Federation
- 2
Chester le Street Health Limited
- 3
Central Durham GP Providers
- 4
Derwentside Healthcare Ltd
- 5
South Durham GP CIC Federation
Durham Dales Health Federation is the most likely incumbent based on recency and category match. To win, bidders typically need a clearly differentiated proposition or a price advantage.
Actions
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Buyer Profile
NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care BoardKey Dates
Published
16 June 2026
Submission deadline
30 June 2026
Notice type
planning
Source
find a tender
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