[Correction] CCGs ask service users for feedback as £10m Wheelchair Services contract comes up for tender
Herts Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and East & North Herts CCG are urging its Wheelchair Services users to have their say on its future service ahead of Millbrook Healthcare’s contract expiration.
Millbrook currently delivers the Hertfordshire Wheelchair Service on behalf of the NHS in Hertfordshire, a contract it has held since 2016, however, the CCGs have confirmed it is looking for a new provider when the contract ends at the end of December 2020 [correction: Herts Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and East & North Herts CCG did not confirm that they are looking for a new provider but stated they are “looking at who should run the service once the current contract with Millbrook expires at the end of December 2020.]
Valued at £10m, the contract, which will be available for providers to bid on from the 15th May 2020, will begin on the 4th January 2021 and run up to 31st December 2023.
According to the CCGs, the priorities of the service include “reducing how long Service Users wait for their appointments, wheelchairs and equipment” and “putting choice at the heart of the service by giving people Personal Wheelchair Budgets (PWB).”
In addition, the CCGs highlight the need for the new service to use technology to enhance its operations, as well as giving a voice and acting upon feedback from service users.
“Engaging with service users, carers, families and friends – the wheelchair service will be delivered by a listening organisation that actively seeks and welcomes people’s feedback and then acts on this,” emphasises a statement released by Herts Valley CCG.
The key requirement to embed PWBs into the heart of the service comes as recent guidance issued to CCGs across the country from NHS England and Improvement informed the organisations of service users’ eligibility & rights, as well as CCGs’ legal obligations.
The guidance follows a change in the law in December 2019, extending the right to PWBs to everyone who qualifies for an NHS wheelchair.
In the statement, Herts Valley CCG says: “Personal Wheelchair Budgets are a key priority of The Hertfordshire service and are supported by NHS England.”
On behalf of CCGs, Herts Valley CCG has launched a survey to involve wheelchair service users and carers in the process to set further requirements for the service and identify a future provider.
Existing service users and their carers & family members are asked to share their experiences of using the current service and what changes and improvements they would like to see in the service.
The survey will remain open until the 31st March 2020.
“By sharing your views, you can help the CCGs to procure the best service possible for you and other wheelchair users,” finishes the CCG.
https://thiis.co.uk/ccgs-ask-service-users-for-feedback-as-new-provider-sought-for-10m-wheelchair-services-contract/https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Wheelchair-Personal-Health-Budgets.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Wheelchair-Personal-Health-Budgets-150x150.jpgNewsroomNHSSector NewsHerts Valley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and East & North Herts CCG are urging its Wheelchair Services users to have their say on its future service ahead of Millbrook Healthcare’s contract expiration. Millbrook currently delivers the Hertfordshire Wheelchair Service on behalf of the NHS in Hertfordshire, a contract it has...Calvin BarnettCalvin Barnettcalvin.barnett@bhta.comAuthorTHIIS Magazine