Community Dermatology Services — South West Hampshire Locality

There is an urgent need for the continuity of community dermatology services (south west Hampshire locality) via a new short term contract. Under the PCR 2015, the contracting authority considers Covid-19 to be a state of urgency brought about by circumstances which a diligent contracting authority could not have foreseen. A response to the pandemic is required to safeguard public health risks and risk to life, by securing a safe and continued service. NHS West Hampshire CCG has decided to enter into a contract with About Health Limited, using the ‘competitive procedure without prior publication for reasons of extreme urgency’ (Reg 32(2)(c) PCR 2015), brought about by the Covid-19 outbreak:

• to maintain service delivery and continuity during and after the Covid-19 response.
• a change of provider would disrupt continuity and would be to the detriment of patient care and the local health system, noting that exit and mobilisation periods are a key consideration.