Prior Information Notice: Talking Therapies services for Bristol - Market Engagement Event

This notice is placed as a Prior Information Notice, and relates only to a pre-procurement market engagement event. Prospective bidders and interested organisations are warmly invited to a pre-procurement market engagement event being held on Tuesday 2nd February 2016 in central Bristol.

We would welcome attendance from those organisations or individuals who may be interested in bidding for these services. It will be an opportunity to meet with the commissioners and hear more about Talking Therapies in Bristol and the critical issues for the public and commissioners.

The meeting will also explain the procurement processes which are planned to commence on the 9th February 2016. There is an opportunity for potential lead providers to engage with other providers.

The commissioners also welcome input from prospective bidders as an opportunity to share best practice and innovation and also test out assumptions. Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) is a national NHS programme designed to make it easier for people suffering from common mental health problems like anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to be able to access Talking Therapy treatments.

NHS Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) currently commissions an IAPT service in line with national guidance and local requirements from suitably qualified healthcare providers. This service is commissioned in an urban area with a very diverse population and identified areas of high need, including particular needs for psychological therapies.

The current service is due to cease on October 31st 2016. Bristol CCG therefore intends to commission a new Talking Therapies service from 1st November 2016.

This will be based on a new service design which will offer greater flexibility around the duration of treatment and the number of sessions available for people who need them. There will also be an improved early assessment process to reduce waiting time between assessment and therapy sessions.

The procurement will seek to appoint providers for each of the following services: • Talking Therapies Service and System Co-Ordination • Complex Trauma (including Refugees and Asylum Seekers) • Peri- and Post-Natal Mental Health • Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse • Life-Threatening Illness • Complex Bereavement The procurement processes have been designed to be proportionate and will be explained more at the event. The combined annual contract value for these services is circa £3.3 million, and the service commencement date is 1st November 2016. In order to establish fair representation, availability for this event is limited to three individuals per organisation.