Provision of bladder and bowel prescription service in Sefton

The NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board has formally awarded a contract for the provision of a bladder and bowel prescription service in Sefton. This contract, which falls under the health services industry category, started on 1st April 2025 and will run until 31st March 2027. The procurement process followed the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, using a direct award method without prior publication.

This decision was previously announced in a prior intention to award notice dated 20th March 2025, marking the start of the standstill period. The service aims to centralize bladder and bowel prescription ordering with specialist nurse prescribers and is specifically for patients registered with a Sefton Place GP. This procurement presents opportunities for businesses experienced in health service provision, especially those that can contribute to social value, improve access, reduce health inequalities, and foster integration and collaboration.

While the contract was awarded to the incumbent provider, businesses with innovative approaches and service sustainability can position themselves for future opportunities within similar procurement regimes. Companies specialising in medical prescriptions and patient care solutions are particularly well-suited to compete in this sector, given they can demonstrate robust service quality and innovation aligned with NHS priorities.