How we buy services

We are responsible for planning services for patients in Cambridgeshire. Each year we spend approximately £800m. As part of the planning process we are continually looking at how we can improve services.

The way in which we redesign and improve services are a key part of the planning process. We develop all services through a rigorous process which is based on highest quality, affordability, clinical evidence and continuous feedback from the public. Ensuring all these elements are taken into account can be a lengthy process.

When we are looking to buy a new service we go through what is called a tender process. We write a specification of the proposed service (known as a contract), it is then approved via the NHS Cambridgeshire Board, Clinical Executive and Professional Executive Committee to advertise for the providers to express their interest in the service/contract.

Providers register their interest and during this period we develop how we shall measure the suitability of each provider. The expressions of interest are assessed against an agreed criteria and we then decide which provider will be invited to tender for the service. The suppliers then need to outline how they would provide the service, meeting a number of stringent requirements.

A multi-professional panel assesses the tender proposals from the providers by applying a scoring system based on the agreed criteria. Wherever possible we include patient representatives. The panel’s decision on the successful provider is then taken to the NHS Cambridgeshire Board for agreement. The contract is awarded to the provider and we will continue to monitor the service for patients. We endeavour to engage before, during and after this process with local communities affected by the change in services.

Organisation’s interested in providing services for NHS Cambridgeshire can find out details of our current tenders