Prime Provider Community Pharmacy Service

North of England Commissioning Support (NECS) are working for and on behalf of NHS North Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), NHS South Tyneside CCG, NHS Newcastle Gateshead CCG and NHS Northumberland CCG who wish to commission a Prime Provider Community Pharmacy service for North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Newcastle, Gateshead and Northumberland and are inviting expressions of interest in this tender opportunity.

The aims of the Prime Provider Community Pharmacy service is to: • Enter into a single contractual arrangement with commissioners for the delivery and management of community pharmacy provision. • Ensure robust sub-contracting arrangements are in place with community pharmacists for delivery of provision. • Collate all activity data and information from sub-contractors to ensure a timely monthly submission to commissioners in line with the requirements of the contract. • Ensure that sub-contractors are paid in line with the terms and conditions of the sub-contract agreement. • Ensure that service provision and coverage is retained at a level equal to current provision The contract is for an initial 3 years plus the option to extend the contract for a period of 2 years at the discretion of the Contracting Authorities subject to satisfactory financial and contractual performance.

Please note the deadline for submission of all tender returns is 12 noon on 03.6.2016.

A bidder event will be held on 19/5/2016 between 10.30 & 12.00 at The Quadrant Meeting Room, Newburn, Riverside, Newcastle upon Tyne NE15 8NZ.

Bidders will be provided with an overview of the aims and objectives of the new service, an overview of the tender documentation and procurement process.

Further information regarding registration for this event can be located within Document 1 of the tender documentation.

NECS is utilising an electronic tendering tool in respect of this procurement, therefore, all communications will be conducted via the In-Tend portal, https://in-tendhost.co.uk/necs.

It is free to register on the portal, which can be accessed at any time.

A dedicated help-desk is available should potential providers have any queries and can be contacted on +44 8442728810 (Monday to Friday 8:00 to 17:00) or via emailing support@in-tend.co.uk