Demand on health and care services is rising, creating pressure on services, waiting lists, delays in accessing care and financial pressure. In response, there is a national and local drive to manage demand on health and care services, prevent development of escalating care needs and focus on promoting good health and wellbeing. Surrey County Council also recognise how this approach heavily relies on the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE). However this sector has faced increasing financial difficulty since the pandemic, with reductions in donations and constraints on grants from statutory organisations. Surrey County Council wants to understand the mos

" This tender falls under the industry category of medical solutions, alongside research and development consultancy services, and aims to address healthcare pressures through various interventions and evaluations. The procurement stage is currently at the tender phase, with a deadline for submissions by 5th March 2025 and an estimated contract period from 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026. The geographical scope includes British Oversea Territories, Channel Islands, Europe, Isle of Man, Rest of the World, and the United Kingdom.

The procurement method is a limited competitive quotation, suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sectors, with an estimated contract value of £100,000 GBP. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in medical solutions, research and developmental services, consultancy, and social research. SMEs and VCSEs that can offer innovative approaches to health care management, including fit notes evaluation, WorkWell, Green Health and Wellbeing, and social prescribing interventions, are well-suited to compete.

The focus on developing an evidenced approach to investing in preventative measures and assessing the effectiveness of existing interventions means that organisations with expertise in these areas can contribute to impactful and sustainable healthcare improvements, ultimately fostering business growth through government partnerships.