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Summary, notice description and lot information
The NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board has completed the procurement process for the "Suffolk Night Owls" service, categorised under health services. This service entails a local emotional support helpline operating every night for registered users with complex needs, from Suffolk regions. The procurement was conducted under the Health Care Services Provider Selection Regime Regulations 2023 via a direct award procedure, without prior competition.
The contract, valued at £177,092, was formally awarded on 26th July 2025 to the existing provider, Suffolk Mind, starting from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027, ensuring continuity of service. This procurement provides a significant opportunity for businesses in the healthcare support services sector, particularly those equipped to handle mental health and emotional support services. Organisations specialising in telehealth, mental health support, and crisis intervention would find this contract pertinent.
SMEs with expertise in these areas, and a strong capacity for call handling and follow-up services, can leverage similar future tenders for business growth. The focus on quality and innovation, integration, social value, and improving access signify opportunities for providers that can deliver sustainable and socially responsible services effectively.
The SNO service consists of two trained helpline staff working from 6.30pm to 1.00am manning the incoming calls, ansaphone, emails and texts throughout the night. RAG rating and prioritising calls. - The staff on the helpline shall: * Support the client with their immediate crisis and assist them to develop strategies to deal with life events and gain insight regarding their mental wellbeing. * Suggest techniques for reducing anxiety and negative thoughts. * Focus on keeping the client safe and encouraging them to develop self-help strategies and resilience. * Signpost to the relevant service if deemed necessary when the call is ending, and the caller has not been de-escalated. * Call in the emergency services if required. The NHS Contract Variation will last one year from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027 The current service expires on 31st March 2026, and this will provide continuity of care for the registered clients. Recommissioning will be considered based on the findings of the full crisis alternatives review across the new cluster of ICBs with Suffolk and Norfolk and Waveney ICBs. No extension has been planned for this service this single year contract constitutes less than 25% of the total lifetime value of the SNO service (since 2019). Procurement to insert - NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board are awarding the contract named within this notice under the Direct Award C process which is outlined within the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The provider named in this notice is an existing provider and has been reviewed through a Key Criteria assessment to ensure the awarding body is satisfied with current performance and reasonably expects the provider to be able to satisfy the contract which is the subject of this notice. The contract which is the subject of this notice has not changed considerably when compared with the existing / previous contract delivered by the named provider. The ICB may wish to introduce additional services during the lifetime of the contract ("Contract modifications"). Such contract modifications will be contemplated where additional requirements are similar and or complementary to the services already included in the Specification, at any given time. Such expansion would be by the addition of services commissioned by the Authority as named in the Contract Notice. To this end, after the award of contract, there is a possibility that the contract may be varied as allowable in accordance with the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.
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