Third Sector therapeutic support to the Children's Unit at Royal Blackburn Hospital and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, located in Preston, has completed the procurement process for the provision of Third Sector therapeutic support services for the Children's Unit at Royal Blackburn Hospital and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This tender falls under the Health Services industry category and was carried out using a limited procurement method, specifically the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) stipulated by the Health Care Services Regulations 2023, which bypasses the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Procurement Act 2023. The contract was formally awarded through direct award process C, with an award decision dated 20th March 2025, and the contract commencing on 1st April 2025, ending on 31st March 2027.

The total value of the contract is set at £547,524. This procurement presents substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in health services, particularly those capable of delivering therapeutic support within a hospital setting. Enterprises already operating within the healthcare sector, specifically those experienced in public health collaborations, stand to benefit the most.

Such organisations can leverage their expertise in delivering quality, innovative and socially valuable services, positioning themselves as ideal candidates in similar tenders that emphasize community integration and service sustainability. This contract, awarded to Spring North LTD, a small to medium-sized enterprise based in Blackburn, highlights the scope for such businesses to expand their footprint and impact within the UK healthcare system.