NHS BNSSG - Planned Outpatients Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services

NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board is seeking to secure a Prime Provider who has the capability and capacity to deliver a planned outpatients Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS), in line with the specified requirements.

The purpose of this planned outpatients NEPTS service is to ensure that there is an equitable and accessible service to all eligible patients in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire based on their medical need. The model is based on all planned outpatient journeys being booked through a central point of contact called a Patient Transport Hub (PTH) where journey requests are made directly by patients/carers and health or social care staff.

The budget for this service is £5,483,663 per annum. The contract term is 5 years with the option to extend for a further 2 years, making a contract value of £27,418,315 over the initial 5-year term. If the 2-year extension option is utilised the total contract value is £38,385,641. The contract will be uplifted annually in accordance with the planning guidance published by NHS England, which is usually available in the last quarter of a financial year.

The new contract will commence on 1st April 2026.

TUPE may apply to this process.

NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board is seeking to secure a Prime Provider who has the capability and capacity to deliver a planned outpatients Non-Emergency Patient Transport Service (NEPTS), in line with the specified requirements.

The purpose of this planned outpatients NEPTS service is to ensure that there is an equitable and accessible service to all eligible patients in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire based on their medical need. The model is based on all planned outpatient journeys being booked through a central point of contact called a Patient Transport Hub (PTH) where journey requests are made directly by patients/carers and health or social care staff.

Bookings for eligible patients will then be referred to the awarded Provider by 5pm the night before travel who will plan the journeys, working collaboratively with partner organisations transport teams. The awarded Provider will then transport those eligible patients to and from agreed providers of NHS commissioned care.

The Provider must:

• Ensure that patients get the transport mode most appropriate to their condition and mobility.
• Provide a service 06:00 - 22:00 every day inclusive of bank or public holidays. (365 days a year and 366 days in each leap year)
• Provide a call-to-confirm/text-to-confirm in a reasonable time prior to travel.
• Provide a patient transport liaison staff member at both Southmead Hospital and the Bristol Royal Infirmary between 08:00 and 18:00 Monday to Saturday trained to an appropriate level of authority to assist with patient flow and who can perform or arrange risk assessments where necessary.
• Transport patients needing renal dialysis who have a medical need requiring transport which isn't provided in the BNSSG Haemodialysis Car contract.
• Ensure staff are trained to provide a supportive response for patients who have access needs which require higher levels of support.

The budget for this service is £5,483,663 per annum. The contract term is 5 years with the option to extend for a further 2 years, making a contract value of £27,418,315 over the initial 5-year term. If the 2-year extension option is utilised the total contract value is £38,385,641. The contract will be uplifted annually in accordance with the planning guidance published by NHS England, which is usually available in the last quarter of a financial year.

The new contract will commence on 1st April 2026.

TUPE may apply to this process. Workforce information will be supplied to Bidders on request on the basis that it is treated as strictly confidential.

This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.