Mental Health Practitioners in PCN’s and SMI Health Checks

NHS Essex Integrated Care Board (the Authority) has awarded a contract for the provision of Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs) in Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and Severe Mental Illness (SMI) Physical Health Check services to the existing provider, Vita Health Group, following Direct Award Process C under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.

NHS Essex Integrated Care Board, acting as the Relevant Authority, is commissioning these services to support adults with complex mental health needs who are not suitable for Talking Therapies, providing access to a range of interventions including personalised and trauma-informed care, psychological support, medicines management, and coordinated care. The SMI service ensures individuals receive an annual physical health check, appropriate follow-up, and access to interventions to improve their physical health outcomes.

The Authority intends to award this contract via Direct Award Process C under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Procurement Act 2023 do not apply. NHS Essex Integrated Care Board is the Relevant Authority undertaking this process.

The services comprise the provision of Mental Health Practitioners (MHPs) within Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and Severe Mental Illness (SMI) Physical Health Check services. These services support adults with complex mental health needs who are not suitable for Talking Therapies provision, delivering a range of interventions including personalised and trauma-informed care, psychological support, medicines management and coordinated care. The SMI service ensures that individuals with severe mental illness receive an annual physical health check, appropriate follow-up, and access to interventions to improve physical health outcomes.

The provider is an existing provider of these services to NHS Essex Integrated Care Board and has demonstrated their ability to deliver the services to the required standard, following assessment against the five key Provider Selection Regime criteria.

The contract period is from 01 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 with an option to extend for a further 12 months. The total contract value for the 2026/27 and 27/28 financial year is £797,194.00, comprising £398,597.00 for each year. The aggregate value is £797,194.00. The value is activity-dependent and may vary over the contract term.