Postvention Service to Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board

NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board has awarded a contract for the provision of postvention services to Rethink Mental Illness. The procurement, categorised under health services, focused on delivering suicide bereavement support in the Swindon and Wiltshire region. This procurement followed a "Most Suitable Provider" process under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, excluding the standard Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

The contract was formally signed on 13 March 2025, initiated on 1 April 2025, and is set to expire on 31 October 2025. The overall contract value is £35,940, highlighting efficiency considerations in the service provision. The key stakeholders involved in this process are NHS Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, serving as the buyer, and Rethink Mental Illness, identified as the supplier.

The Postvention Service project represents a significant opportunity for entities engaged in mental health service provision, particularly those specialising in psychosocial and emotional support. This initiative not only underscores a commitment to addressing mental health challenges post-suicide but also signals potential avenues for companies adept in delivering bespoke bereavement support sessions. The procurement process, characterized by a limited competition method, was tailored to identify a provider with the requisite capacity and capability to deliver such sensitive and specialized services.

This framework might appeal to established health service providers looking to expand their portfolio in the mental health domain whilst ensuring sustainable business growth through public sector partnerships. Businesses within the health services industry that are seeking partnerships with public bodies and have robust experience in delivering community-focused support might find similar opportunities advantageous for growth.