SUSSEX COVID-19 Treatment for Highest Risk non- Hospitalised Patients COVID 19 (NMABS) Incorporating Outbreak Response Service

Concepts

• lewes
• medical practice
• incorporating outbreak response service
• outbreak response service
• outbreak response
• highest risk
• hospitalised patients
• patients
• highest
• covid-19

Location

Lewes

Description

Administrative and clinical triage, clinical assessment and prescribing of oral drugs and IV infusion and reporting, incorporating outbreak response from October 2025 which will operate system-wide, providing a single point of contact 7 days per week from 8am to 8pm for UKHSA incidents and delivering effective protection for the population from health threats, responding to these with appropriate health actions based on clear accountability, collaboration and co-ordination within the system.

Total Quantity or Scope

This is a continuation of the existing service being provided by Alliance For Better Care CIC. The service is to ensure continuity of care to highest risk non hospitalised patients who are impacted by COVID 19. NHS Sussex ICB intends to award the contract to Alliance For Better Care CIC following Direct Award Process C. The approximate lifetime value of the contract (excluding extensions) will be £396,396 over the 9-month term from 1st January 2026 to 30th September 2026. The approximate lifetime value of the contract (including extensions) will be £660,660 over the 15-month term from 1st January 2026 to 31st March 2027.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85120000 - Medical practice and related services

Indicators

• Award on basis of price.

Legal Justification

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 8th October 2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR. Any written representations should be sent to robert.kitt1@nhs.net.

Other Information

The provider selection process was based on five key criteria, each weighted to reflect its importance in service delivery, value, and sustainability: Quality and Innovation - 25% 25% is allocated to quality and innovation to ensure the service is performing to the standards expected and able to innovate. It also reflects commissioner's focus on quality, responsiveness and integration rather than just cost. Value - 15% 15% is allocated to value to ensure our population is getting value for money from the service provided, and to ensure we are spending taxpayers' money efficiently. There is emphasis on Implementation of NICE Technology Appraisals which are statutory. Integration, collaboration, and service sustainability - 25% 25% is allocated to integration, collaboration, and service sustainability as integration is key to the ICB plans; engagement and collaboration is required in the delivery of this hybrid model to ensure seamless provision and improved outcomes for patients. Improving access, reducing health inequalities, and facilitating choice - 25% 25% is allocated to improving access, reducing inequalities and facilitating choice as these are important factors that must be considered for all services ICB's commission. There is targeted inreach to CORE 20 plus to improve access and reduce health inequalities in the population Social Value - 10% 10% is allocated to social value as services should be able to provide additional benefits to the wider population, not just those who access the service, and local social, environmental, and economic benefits, e.g. reducing CO2 emissions. The Commissioner intends to award the contract to Alliance for Better Care CIC following review of the above structured evaluation of key criteria, selection standards, and PSR compliance, which demonstrated that the provider continues to deliver a high-quality service whilst ensuring the best value and service continuity for NHS Sussex. The assessment of the current service is as follows: Quality and innovation • The service was mobilised at pace and ABC has been providing a Sussex-wide service on behalf of other GP federations. • The provider has developed expertise and resilience responding to challenges including urgent implementation of commissioning guidelines and surges. • With the cessation of national identification IT platform, the provider promptly developed a self -referral process which allowed eligible cohorts faster access to the service. Value • Implementation of the service is in response to the national omicron response letter and the declaration of a national level 4 incident • The main aim of the service is to reduce hospitalisation rates and death within this group of patients. • This national directive was outlined in an interim commissioning policy: Antivirals or neutralising monoclonal antibodies for non-hospitalised patients with Covid-19 from 20 December 2021. Since then, there have been amendments to the programme including eligible cohort and therapeutic options. Integration, collaboration and service sustainability • ABC collaborates closely with the Programme Board and Operational Group • The service is supported through a systemwide operational group and programme board. The provider is represented on these groups and this ensures that there is effective coordination and collaboration to improve care for patients • The service is Sussex wide and is delivered on behalf of all GPs and other GP Federations • ABC provides monthly activity data, live outbreak data and quarterly report • ABC liaises Closely with GP practices and other systems including hospitals, community pharmacists and NHS111 • The service supports implementation of NICE technology appraisal Improving access, reducing health inequalities, and facilitating choice • There is a strong focus on reducing health inequalities, and the Sussex system continues to consider how the service will maximise the accessibility of therapeutics to eligible patients most at risk of health inequalities, with the aim of preventing any further widening of the inequalities gap. • The service is provided to all patients who meet eligible criteria. • ABC offers self-referral as well as opportunity for referral via clinicians. • Communications are targeted at different groups; information is translated in different languages. • Close liaison with pharmacies enables patients to access prescribed oral treatment from community pharmacies • Data captures referral sources and information on demographics. Social Value • There is expertise within ABC to continue to offer timely intervention for eligible patients in Sussex. • The service supports delivery at all PCN levels • There will be opportunity for a wider workforce when the service becomes less specialist • The service is provided Sussex wide on behalf of all GP federations. No conflicts of interest were identified. Decision maker: Chief Integration and Primary Care Officer, NHS Sussex ICB. This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by 8th October 2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR. Any written representations should be sent to robert.kitt1@nhs.net.