Independent Investigations

The Framework will provide access for NHS England to services and individuals which will allow it to discharge its obligations as set by the NHS Serious Incident Framework and the Department of Health Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the investigation of serious incidents in mental health services.

The framework is issued as Lots with the intention to award multiple providers to each Lot, it is currently envisaged that an approximate number of up to twelve (12) providers against each Lot, will be awarded but NHS England reserves the right to vary this number up or down depending on the outcome of the tender process.

For this procurement and the specialist nature of mental health independent investigations, it is a condition of award that Bidders who are interested in providing services can demonstrate suitable experience and knowledge and understanding of providing these types of services.

For Lot 1 Single Investigator: The Bidder must be able to provide expert investigation skills, such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Thematic Analysis or similar, and hold current and appropriate valid registration.

For this procurement and the specialist nature of Independent Investigations, Single Investigators should be able to demonstrate suitable experience and knowledge, which may come from carrying out roles such as, but not limited to, Chairing of reviews, Clinical Quality Assessor within either the mental, social or heath care environment.

For Lot 2 Independent Investigations: The Bidder must be able to provide expert investigation skills, such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Thematic Analysis or similar, and have either an in-house or access to an investigator with the skill sets identified for Lot 1, as well as a mental health nurse, a consultant psychiatrist and social worker and any other experts required, all of whom must hold current and appropriate valid registration with their relevant professional body’s.

It is the intention to award the contract for a primary period of 2 years with the option to take up extensions for 2 x 12 months, providing for a total framework duration of 4 years.