BLMK ICB Live Life Social Prescribing

The NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) has announced a contract in the health services sector titled "Live Life Social Prescribing". The contract, part of a service procurement process, aims to provide social support by connecting individuals to community resources, thereby improving health outcomes and reducing dependency on health and social care. The award process utilised is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, avoiding the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

The contract, valued at £126,415, was formally awarded on 1st April 2025 for one year. Operations will be based in Bedfordshire, UKH25 region, encompassing areas such as Milton Keynes. This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in providing community health and social care services, particularly those experienced in social prescribing.

The direct award process without prior call for competition means that entities familiar with the NHS procurement landscape, such as current providers or those in strategic partnerships with community groups, can find growth opportunities. Organisations like Age UK, already positioned within the social care sector, can leverage such contracts to expand their service scope and contribute significantly to local health outcomes. Businesses with innovations in community engagement and digital health solutions could further explore collaborations to enhance service delivery.