Calls for Expressions of Interest for the Provision of NHS Primary Medical Care and related services in Calderdale (Equitable Access to Primary Medical Care Services)

Calderdale Primary Care Trust provides and purchases health services for approximately 200,000 people across Calderdale, West Yorkshire. We have been externally assessed as having the 'ability and experience to ensure world class services are commissioned to improve the health of local people'. We are undertaking an exciting new initiative – Practice Plus – to provide innovative, high quality and accessible primary medical care and other services to the people of Calderdale.

We would like to invite Expressions of Interest from all suitably qualified and experienced healthcare providers (including general practitioners, social enterprise/third sector organisations and other providers) to provide a range of primary care based services across the PCT, with particular focus on our communities with diverse and complex needs and high levels of deprivation. Providers should have the vision to innovate and integrate creating strong and effective clinical and community networks.

Through Practice Plus we are committed to delivering new services for at least 18,000 people in the form of a GP-led health centre and additional GP services covering at least five localities. The provision of walk-in services will also need to be delivered.

The proposed schemes are subject to public engagement and consultation in accordance with Section 242 of the National Health Service Act 2006. Consultation is due to commence in early May 2008. The successful provider will be expected to fully engage with Calderdale PCTs commissioning plans including new Urgent Care provision and establishing care closer to home through extended services in our Community Hospitals programme.

For further information about Practice Plus, our procurement process and our local bidder event, interested parties are directed to the Memorandum of Information which will be available on the Calderdale PCT website on 8th May 2008.

www.calderdale-pct.nhs.uk (click on Practice Plus)

Those wishing to submit an Expression of Interest in tendering for the contract are asked to do this in accordance with the instructions set out in the MOI, to arrive before 17.00 on 29th May 2008.