Issue - meetings

Report CS18022

The Committee considered a report setting out a proposal to engage in a procurement exercise to retender the statutory Healthwatch service, for which the existing contract would end on 31^st March 2018, and to secure a provider that delivered best value for this service.

The Healthwatch service collated and provided evidence-based intelligence relating to people’s experiences, views and concerns around health and social care services to influence the commissioning, policy, decision making, design and delivery of these services.  In addition, the Healthwatch service provided information, advice and guidance on local health and social care services and worked with the Health and Wellbeing Board, contributing to local documents such as the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and Health and Wellbeing Strategy.  The contract for the delivery of this service was initially awarded to Community Links on 1^st April 2013 for one year and extended for a further year.  This contract was subsequently transferred with the agreement of both parties to Healthwatch Bromley on 21^st January 2015.  Healthwatch Bromley was a separate independent organisation set up by Community Links Bromley as a charity and company limited by guarantee which enabled the organisation to access funding from additional funding streams.  The existing contract with Healthwatch Bromley to provide this service would end on 31^st March 2018. 

In response to a question from a Member, it was confirmed that tenders received as part of the procurement process would be evaluated using the Local Authority’s standard criteria of 60% price and 40% quality.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to approve a procurement exercise be carried out to retender the statutory Healthwatch service, securing a provider that delivers best value.