Northumberland Acute Respiratory Infection Hubs Winter 25/26

The NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board has awarded a contract titled "Northumberland Acute Respiratory Infection Hubs Winter 25/26" within the industry category of miscellaneous health services. This procurement focuses on establishing acute respiratory infection hubs across several locations, including Alnwick and Belford in Northumberland, to manage winter pressures effectively. The procurement process followed the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 under urgent circumstances, bypassing the typical Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

The contract commenced on 22nd December 2025 and is set to continue until 31st March 2026. The procurement method used was a limited award procedure without prior publication, due to the urgent need for service continuation and the mobilisation of healthcare hubs. This tender presents significant business growth opportunities for firms specialised in healthcare services, particularly those with expertise in managing acute conditions and deploying healthcare solutions under urgent conditions.

Businesses in the health sector, such as health service providers with capabilities to rapidly adapt and respond to high-pressure demand situations, would be well-suited to engage in similar future opportunities. 55, reflects an urgent requirement to ensure that patient care is not compromised during critical demand periods, exemplifying a need for agile service delivery companies. With the awarded supplier being Well Up North, a large-scale enterprise, there is a demonstrated precedent for large companies to secure roles in these urgent healthcare provision processes.