Community Outbreak Response Service (CORS)- Influenza and Scabies

The NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board is in the procurement process for a Community Outbreak Response Service (CORS) focusing on Influenza and Scabies, with the procurement currently at the award stage. This service aims to provide a coordinated clinical response to disease outbreaks within the Dorset community. The procurement falls under the Health Services industry category with a procurement method classified as 'limited', awarded without prior publication of a call for competition.

The service is part of the Provider Selection Regime, with an intention to award announced and representations due by 12 January 2026. The contract, valued at approximately £40,000, runs from 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2026, with a potential 12-month extension. This service aims to protect public health by managing cases effectively to minimise transmission.

This contract presents a significant opportunity for businesses in the health services sector, particularly those experienced in healthcare delivery within community settings. Businesses with expertise in managing communicable diseases and possessing the capacity to deliver timely health responses would be well-positioned to engage with such contracts in the future. The process favours existing providers who already have NHS Standard Contracts, indicating opportunities for those already integrated into the NHS framework.

The awarded supplier is Crescent Providence Surgery, emphasising the potential for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to thrive within the UK's healthcare system, especially in specialised community response roles.