Rapid Response Clinic - Psychological Support

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust (CDDFT) intend to award a 3 months (with 3 x 4-month optional extensions) contract under Provider Selection Regime Direct Award C process to existing provider, DURHAM CITY THERAPY LTD.

This is for provision of an external psychotherapist to provide additional support to the Trust's Psychologist. This provision is for patients who, as part of the Breast Surgery Service review process, have been identified as suffering psychological harm. Support ranges from signposting, referral to other services, or if needed psychological interventional support from the Trust.

Justification for this procurement route and contracting with this supplier is as follows:

Key Criteria 1. Quality And Innovation

The service model provides a rapid response approach, enabling timely intervention and avoiding further psychological harm associated with delays in accessing support.

Key Criteria 2. Value

This represents a cost-effective approach as costs are only incurred when patient demand requires additional capacity.The arrangement also provides flexibility to respond to fluctuating referral levels while maintaining continuity of care and reducing risk to patients and the organisation.

Key Criteria 3. Integration, Collaboration And Service Sustainability

The arrangement supports continuity of the existing rapid response pathway and will help reinstate timely assessment and intervention for patients currently experiencing delays.

Key Criteria 4. Improving Access, Reducing Health Inequalities And Facilitating Choice

The additional psychotherapeutic capacity will improve timely access to psychological support for patients identified as experiencing harm associated with their care.

Key Criteria 5. Social Value

The arrangement additionally supports the Trust's commitment to maintaining high-quality compassionate care and responding appropriately to concerns identified through the Royal College of Surgeons review and local peer review processes.

There were no conflicts of interest identified.