Decision details

The Local Healthwatch (LHW) service is the local ‘Consumer Champion’ for all NHS and Social Care services and is supported by the national body, Healthwatch England (HWE) part of the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The service’s purpose is to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use health and social care services and to speak out on their behalf. Local authorities have a duty under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act (2012) to ensure that an effective local Healthwatch and Independent Complaints Advocacy service is operating in their area delivering the activities set out in the legislation.

The Independent NHS Complaints Advocacy Service (IHCAS) is a client-centred, flexible service which supports anyone who wishes to resolve a complaint about healthcare commissioned and/or provided by the NHS in England.

This decision commences a procurement to commission a local Healthwatch and Independent Complaints Advocacy Service and delegate the contract award to the Director of Public Health.

The Cabinet Member for Adults and Health has approved;

1)   the commencement of a procurement process for a Local Healthwatch service and Independent Health Complaints Advocacy service via an open tender process, from 1 April 2020 for a contract of up to 7 years duration at £342,600 per annum with a maximum total contract value of £2.549m; and

2)   the delegation of authority to the Director of Public Health to award the contract to the bidder who submits the most economically advantageous tender which will include quality, price and performance elements for assessment.

None.