West Essex Rheumatology GPSI-GPWER Service 26-28

West Essex Rheumatology GPSI/GPWER Service The Rheumatology GP with Special Interest (GPSI) Service provides timely, equitable, community-based assessment and management of rheumatology and related musculoskeletal conditions for adults registered with West Essex GP practices.

It responds to high demand for MSK care and aims to improve access, experience and outcomes by offering patients appointments closer to home and by supporting self-management and shared decision-making through agreed care plans and goal setting. Key aims are to reduce waits, improve quality of life (including pain management and ability to work), provide safe evidence-based care aligned to NICE and other standards, and reduce demand and cost pressures on acute services by treating appropriate patients in the community.

It also supports system integration, including agreed pathways with The Princess Alexandra Hospital for stable rheumatoid arthritis follow-up and clear routes for rapid consultant re-access when needed. The current provider is satisfying the existing contract, delivering a good service, meeting all KPIs, with no quality concerns and good outcomes.

They are likely to satisfy the new contract, and the proposed contracting arrangements are not changing from the existing contract and we are intending to award a contract to the existing provider following direct award process C. The intended dates the services are to be provided will be from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2028 with an option to extend to 31st March 2030.

Initial contract award 1st April 2019 - 31st March 2026 total value: £1,270,249 Additional Contract award 1st April 2026 - 31st March 2028 with option to extend to 31st March 2030 total value: £976,304 Total Lifetime value: £2,246,553. Additional information: This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice.

The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.

The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.

The options for this service were presented and approved at the Joint Executive Committee 17th Feburary 2026. There were no conflicts or potential conflicts declared.