RFI for Southend Day Stay Unit Managed Services Operator

This is a Request for Information (RFI) published on behalf of Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust (MSEFT). With this RFI, MSEFT is seeking to learn the level of possible interest from managed services operators in relation to managing and operating the Southend 23 hour Day Surgery Unit and Cancer Centre.

The same information will be gathered from different organisations to inform the service model and future procurement plan. MSEFT is developing a dedicated Day Surgery Unit and 23 hour Ward to increase elective surgical capacity and address growing waiting list pressures.

The facility will be a ring-fenced, standalone elective care centre connected to the main hospital to ensure access to inpatient services and diagnostics when required. This model approach will ensure the delivery of a high-quality, sustainable, and efficient elective surgical service for Mid and South Essex, aligning with national elective recovery priorities.

MSEFT is seeking to commission a fully managed service offer, providing everything from the equipment specification, equipment installation, maintenance and consumables for NHS staff and independent and private sector organisations to use. The primary objectives of this service are to: • Provide a modern fit for purpose environment for day surgery theatres which supports MSEFT’s strategy for being at the leading edge of surgery (through cutting edge equipment and responsiveness) that allows the maximum benefit for the Mid and South Essex population. • Implement high-volume, low-complexity surgical pathways in line with Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) principles. • Support recruitment and retention by providing a dedicated and purpose-built environment.

The new 1900m² facility will form a fully functional, well maintained and operational suite and will comprise: • 2 Theatres (laminar flow enabled) for a range of elective procedures. • 1 Enhanced Treatment/Procedure Room for outpatient-based interventions. • Pre- and post-operative recovery areas, including 8 patient pods and 2 ensuite side rooms. • General spaces: Waiting, administration, admission and discharge areas, and staff welfare facilities. The expectation is that the below specialities (in the form of elective day-case and 23-hour stay surgeries) will use the facilities, but this is expected to evolve over the life of the contract: • ENT • General Surgery • Pain Management • Oral Surgery • Gynaecology • Burns and Plastics • Orthopaedics (excluding complex procedures requiring a clean facility) • Urology.

All requriements, specifications and costs associated with the management of the Day Surgery Unit will be included within the Managed Services Contract between MSEFT and the managed services operator and will be outlined in the forthcoming tender documents. In addition to providing the aforementioned services, the managed services operator will be required to enter into a separate lease arrangement for the building with a specialist developer/investor.

To enable the funding and delivery of the building, MSEFT have appointed a specialist developer to deliver the whole building and the fitout of the ground floor Day Surgery Unit. The funding of the project will require an established leasing structure to be implemented.

This will therefore require the managed services operator to enter into lease agreements with the developer/funder which are guaranteed by MSEFT. All lease liabilities will be passed back through sub underleases to MSEFT and the funding rental liability will be recovered from MSEFT by the managed services operator via deed of covenant.

For further information, please refer to the draft service specification that has been included as part of the RFI documentation. To express an interest in this project and access the RFI documentation and all other information concerning the RFI, please go to the Jaggaer website at: https://attain.bravosolution.co.uk Click on ‘Register here’ and follow the on screen instructions.

Please note that expressions of interest will not be accepted by any means other than through the Jaggaer e-procurement portal. The closing date for submitting completed RFIs is 12:00 noon on 4 April 2025.

Disclaimer: This RFI is intended only to elicit information. Responders to this RFI should note that no concessions, contracts or other arrangements will be awarded pursuant to this RFI. Responding, or not responding, to this RFI will neither increase nor decrease any supplier’s chances of being awarded a contract from any subsequent Invitation to Tender process.