Provision of Specialist Level 2b Neuro-rehabilitation Beds

NHS South East London Integrated Care Board (SEL ICB) is seeking to commission additional specialist neuro-rehabilitation level 2b beds to meet the needs of its population in an area that historically has been underserved by such services. The service will meet the British Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine's standards for level 2 specialist neuro-rehabilitation.

Key features of any specialist rehabilitation service are: • A multi-professional team has undergone recognised specialist training in rehabilitation • Led or supported by a consultant trained and accredited in Rehabilitation Medicine • A co-ordinated inter-disciplinary team-working towards an agreed set of goals • Take patients with more complex rehabilitation needs than non-specialist services • Have specialist equipment, facilities and staffing levels to meet those needs • Clinical data as defined by the UK National Dataset for Specialist Rehabilitation Services (including complexity and outcome data) are routinely collected and reported annually for all patients • Support local rehabilitation teams in hospital and community • Have a recognised role in education, training in the field of rehabilitation To ensure accessibility for the local population whose needs the ICB is seeking to address the service will be at a distance of no more than 4.5 miles away from King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill. This notice is an intention to award a contract under the Most Suitable Provider (MSP) process (The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, Regulation 10).

The contract for the Service will be awarded for a period of 1 year (12 months). The notice relates to Provision of Specialist Level 2b Neuro-rehabilitation Beds.

The process being followed is a Most Suitable Provider Process under the Provider Selection Regime 2023 under the Most Suitable Provider (MSP) process (The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, Regulation 10). Under this contract, the provider will be expected to provide as a minimum, four specialist neuro-rehabilitation Level 2b beds.

The commissioner is seeking to achieve, via this procurement, a service and provider that is committed to supporting the development of neighbourhood models of healthcare. The 10-Year Health Plan mandates neighbourhood models of healthcare and these are currently being developed across England.

The commissioner is expecting the provider to work as part of an integrated service which supports networked provision across SEL. This will require good working relationships with relevant local acute Trusts, existing level 2b bed providers (King's College Hospital NHS FT and Guy's and St Thomas' NHS FT), and including relevant community services such as the SEL neuro navigation service and SEL community neuro rehabilitation services.

The provider must demonstrate a proven track record of two years working in partnership with stakeholders relevant to the service. The provider must be able to demonstrate robust structures to support a 24 hour 7 day a week service.

The provider must be able to demonstrate adherence to all aspects of the Specialist Neuro-rehabilitation Service Standards (updated May 2019). The Provider must be able to demonstrate relevant staffing and infrastructure to mobilise imminently.

The Provider must be able to demonstrate that appropriate information governance is in place for NHS data sharing of patient information. The Provider will be required to attend weekly multidisciplinary meetings for discussion and dissemination of referrals to the SEL ICB neuro-rehabilitation service.

The provider will: Accept referrals for patients requiring specialist rehabilitation from acute providers, level 1 rehabilitation providers, community teams and primary care providers (GPs). Aim to provide assessment of suitability for admission to Level 2b beds as soon as possible, but no longer than 10 working days of referral, or to provide specialist advice or access to specialist outpatient clinics.

Provide specialist neurological rehabilitation and condition management according to the relevant national guidelines and maximising the person's independence in preparation for discharge. Facilitate access for specialist assessment and treatment for those living at home with unmet rehabilitation needs with the aim of avoiding unnecessary admissions to acute hospital.

Support other local rehabilitation teams in hospitals, primary care and community by providing specialist services and guidance. Provide single occupancy ensuite bedrooms.

Ensure a Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine is on site 1 day per week, leading governance, MDT planning and review and weekly ward round. A Resident Medical Officer onsite cover 2-3 days per week.

Provide therapeutic input, including Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) (led by a band 7 equivalent, neuro-specialist clinicians), Psychology and Dietary (Consultant, neuro-specialist) support. For a 4-bedded unit, this would include support from 1 FTE Physiotherapist, 1 FTE OT, 0.5 SLT, 0.4 Psychology and 0.2 Dietician.

Provide safe and appropriate nursing and care provision as directed by the Director of Care and Registered Manager. This will reflect BSRM staffing levels, meaning a minimum of 6 Nurse's and 12 HCA's for a 4 bedded unit to provide 24/7 support.

Provide Hotel services including catering, laundry and housekeeping services. Provider admission and discharge support led by an Admission and Discharge Coordinator.

Referral Pathway: A standard electronic referral form is completed and sent to the Admission and Discharge Coordinator for triage. Patients will be triaged within 2 working days of receipt of electronic referral.

An assessment date is offered as soon as possible but within 10 working days based on current NHSE specialist bed contracts. A Multi-Disciplinary assessment is carried out by a consultant in rehabilitation medicine and a senior nurse/therapist.

Where possible the assessments will occur on the ward if the patient is currently an inpatient at a London Hospital. Following the assessment, a decision will be made on suitability for inpatient rehabilitation.

This will depend on rehabilitation need, medical complexity and operational capacity. Should admission be declined, a feedback report will be provided to the referrers within 2 working days.

Patient Admission Criteria Those with identified goals for rehabilitation whose needs cannot be met in other pathways or at home, including those with: • an acquired brain injury of any cause • incomplete spinal cord lesions of any cause • complete thoracic and lumbar spinal cord lesions not accepted to RSCIC • peripheral neuromuscular disease, such as Guillain Barré syndrome, critical illness neuropathy, polymyositis • Neurodegenerative conditions including MS and PD Patients with no clear discharge destination or anticipated unusually complex discharge will only be accepted once a discharge plan is identified in advance of admission, where appropriate initial work to implement the plan has been started or a repatriation pathway is agreed. Patients will need to be medically stable prior to transfer and pre-assessed by the provider.

Role and Responsibilities of the provider: The service provider's role is to provide and coordinate specialist neuro-rehabilitation Level 2b beds as part of the SEL ICB neuro-rehabilitation service. Additional information: This notice is linked to the Find a Tender notice published under reference 2026/S 000-027514, available at: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027514-2026