Student Occupational Health Contract

The University of Plymouth is seeking potential suppliers to provide occupational health (OH) services for learners on professional health and social care courses. This provision must support up to 1,800 new learners annually, the majority between March and September.

Numbers are distributed approximately as follows: Plymouth (1,730), Exeter (30), and Truro (40). These numbers may fluctuate based on commissioning and recruitment.

The Faculty of Health delivers a diverse range of health and social care education programmes. A significant component of these programmes involves learners gaining practical experience in various healthcare settings, including in-patient facilities (wards and theatres), out-patient services, and patients’ / service users’ homes.

Learners work alongside qualified professionals, participating in the assessment and treatment of patients / service users. As such, we are required to ensure that our learners are ‘safe’ to be in these environments, presenting no health risks of any description to the public.

Equally, we must ensure that as well as being professionally qualified they are ‘fit to practise’ as staff in the NHS and other independent health care providers. Approximately 1,800 new entrants enrol in the Faculty’s programmes annually.

All learners are required to complete an occupational health screening form during the admissions process. Based on these forms, the provider will conduct interviews (as needed) to evaluate learners’ suitability for the programme and identify any necessary adjustments.

The provider’s responsibilities include: Scheduling follow-up appointments. Notifying the Faculty of missed appointments.

Reporting any issues that could impact a learner’s ability to undertake practical training. Learners returning after a short break from the programme require repeat screening and referrals can occur at any stage in a learner’s training.

Of particular importance is the requirement to provide clear and unambiguous recommendations regarding the suitability of learners to enter practice and any limitations/adjustments which may be required to ensure the safety of the learner and the patients/service users. These recommendations must align with the professional requirements of the learners’ training programmes and will be reviewed by the Faculty to determine their feasibility for implementation.

The University of Plymouth intends to award a single supplier contract for the provision of occupational health services. Where an organisation fulfils the criteria and would like to participate and be invited for the tender opportunity, it shall respond via the tendering portal by message before the by 22nd September 2025, 12:00.