P0567 - For the provision of a Birmingham Community Equipment Loan Service - AWARD

Birmingham City Council in partnership with Birmingham and Solihull and Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Groups wishes to establish a contract for the delivery of a Birmingham Community Equipment Loan Service (BCELS). Equipment can play a key role in enabling citizens to live independently at home by providing assistance with everyday tasks, thereby helping to reduce unnecessary admissions to hospital and care homes; and preventing delayed discharge from hospital.

The type of equipment provided can range from simple mobility aids, such as crutches and walking frames, to more complex items such as profiling beds and hoists. Items are provided to citizens free of charge, on loan or single issue, in line with agreed criteria.

The Birmingham Community Equipment Loan Service is available to citizens of all ages who meet the criteria for the service, however, the majority of those in receipt of equipment are aged 65+. Approximately 131,300 citizens have been registered with this service. 36,000 orders for equipment were placed in 2018/19, with a total of 113,876 pieces of standard equipment delivered to citizens.

On average, citizens received 3 pieces of equipment in one order. New pieces of Special equipment ordered and delivered in 2018/2019 was 1,172 with a further 1,050 pieces of equipment recycled and used from existing stock.

Tenders are sought from organisations that have experience of sourcing, delivering, maintaining and recycling equipment for citizens referred for a service by approved Equipment Prescribers. The referrals will be for both standard and special equipment.

Special Equipment is defined as any item, not on the Core Equipment list, which must be specially purchased for a citizen. The Service Provider will support an equitable and accessible community equipment loan service to citizens of Birmingham who meet the agreed criteria, based on good practice and meeting national and local standards and performance indicators.

The service must be able to accommodate fluctuations in demand based on the number of referrals received from Equipment Prescribers. There are existing outsourced services in place so TUPE requirements may apply.

Contract This contract is due to commence on the 1st April 2020 and run for an initial period of 3 years with the provision to extend for up to an additional 2 years subject to requirements and satisfactory performance. Please note TUPE may apply to this contract.

The TUPE information will be released to you upon receipt of a signed copy of Appendix 4 - P0567 TUPE Confidentiality Agreement. The web address...