DHSC: National Breastfeeding Helpline

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), located at 39 Victoria Street, London, has completed a procurement process titled "DHSC: National Breastfeeding Helpline." This contract falls under the services category, specific to the call centre industry (CPV code 79512000). Notably, it involved a direct award without prior competition to the Breastfeeding Network for a 12-month period, ensuring continuity of the 24-hour National Breastfeeding Helpline across the UK.

The procurement process used a limited procurement method due to the absence of competition for technical reasons, and the contract was formally signed on 28 March 2025, with a total value of £786,363. This tender provides a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in call centre operations and support services to engage with public procurement in the health sector. While the direct award in this instance did not involve open competition, it highlights the demand for expertise in managing helpline services on a national scale, offering potential future opportunities for businesses capable of expanding capacity and delivering specialised counselling services.

Companies with a focus on continuity and scalability in helpline operations might find forthcoming tenders valuable, as DHSC plans market engagement activities to explore longer-term solutions in late Q2 or early Q3 of 2025/26, opening avenues for more varied participants in future procurement cycles.