QHM-2025-9977 A87007.99C..01

The NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board has completed the direct award contracting process for healthcare services under the Direct Award Process A, governed by the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) regulations 2023. The procurement falls within the health services category, with a focus on PSA Monitoring, Diabetes Care Planning, and Shared Care Drug Monitoring, among others. This process did not invoke the Procurement Act 2023 or Procurement Regulations 2024.

Based in Sunderland, the contracting phase concluded with an award given on 1 October 2025. The contract, although valued at merely £0.01 due to its variable activity-based nature, will run from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 under an implied existing service framework. This tender presents strategic opportunities for well-established healthcare providers capable of delivering specialised and ongoing healthcare services.

With a focus on service areas such as diabetes and drug monitoring, businesses that specialise in chronic disease management and integrated care are particularly well-suited to leverage this contracting opportunity. Although this is a direct award with no competition call, future tenders from the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board might open up opportunities for similar categories of service, making it crucial for providers to stay informed about procurement regulations specific to healthcare. The awarded supplier, Stephenson Park Health Group, reflects the significant potential for large-scale organisations within the healthcare sector to expand their market presence.