Specialist Secure Patient Transport

SCOPE OF THE SERVICE A Specialist Secure Patient Transport service is required for the transport of patients for Tees Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust.

Secure Patient Transport for the purpose of this Agreement is defined as follows: 'a service to transport patients that the Trust deem following a risk assessment requiring this level of transportation using the vehicle(s) Whilst anticipating that the majority of service requirements will be within the North East of England area the Contractor is expected to cover England, Scotland and Wales.

The successful contractor must meet all Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards national standards and must be registered with the Care Quality Commission.

The successful contractor must satisfy the Trust requirements in relation to Patient Confidentiality and Information Security.

The service must be available at any time of the day or night, including weekends, bank holidays and public holidays 24/7 365 days a year.

Vehicles All vehicles must be fit for purpose, comply with road traffic acts and local licensing authority and have appropriate insurance.

The contractor must provide a variety of multi-purpose vehicles including covert vehicles with capacity to take up to 6 escorts with patients in a secure rear saloon and covert cell vehicles fitted with Home Office approved Cat B cell.

Vehicle checks must be carried out by the driver prior to commencing any journey.

The contractor must have resilient contingency plans to deal with breakdowns of vehicles.

Vehicles to include the following basic layout, as a minimum: • Driver isolated in cab area from rear saloon where up to 6 passengers may be located; • Intercom system or equivalent must be in place between the driver in the cab area and passengers; • Vehicles must be able to be contacted by your organisation; • Secure area within rear saloon for patient and escort must be seated; • Access to rear area to be via side loading door.

Step access to support entry/exit if required.

Grab rails at both sides of door to assist with access; • Saloon to have heating system; • Vehicles to have wheelchair access and wheelchair anchoring suitable for manual and electronic wheelchairs when requested; • Vehicles must have the ability to carry oxygen; • Vehicles must have the capacity to transport patients belongings; • Vehicle must be equipped with first aid kits; • The supplier may be required to supply vehicles that have the ability to transfer bariatric patients in excess of 25 stone.

Initial term 24 months with an option for a further 2 x 12 months.

To express your interest please go to the following link : https://www.cardea.nhs.uk/cardea/DisplayModules/TradeModules/Negotiations/Opportunities/ViewOpportunityEvent.aspx?EventID=3818&Culture=en-GBEventID=3759&Culture=en-GB Expressions of interest closes 12:00 Noon 08/03/2018