Sussex Health Translation & Interpreting Services ITMC (1-5)

Language is very important to providing optimal patient care. Interpreters provide a service for patients, carers and clinicians to help them understand each other when they do not speak the same language. Working with language interpreters and translators can positively impact on health outcomes, improve patient experience and reduce communication barriers between practitioner and patient. It has been shown to improve safety with respect to diagnosis and prescription. The NHS is committed to providing high quality, equitable, effective healthcare services that are responsive to all patients' needs.

East Sussex County Council's Sussex and Surrey Translation and Interpreting (SUSTI) Framework went live on 01.01.22 and it was this framework made up of trusted providers, which NHS Sussex also on behalf of University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and East Sussex Health Care Trust, utilised as the route to market to appoint providers to carry out these services for Sussex Health organisations. This notice is to inform of the award of contracts commencing 1st November 2022 for a period of 3 years plus an optional extension period of up to a further 12 months, to the successful providers as a result of further-competitions under this framework for requirements 1-5.

The lead commissioning organisation and contract holder is:

NHS Sussex - also on behalf of: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust East Sussex Health Care Trust (from 1st June 2023)

The overall value provided is an estimated value for the duration of the agreements (including 12 month extension option), however these are activity-based contracts with no guaranteed level of income/activity.

Providers are appointed as follows:

ITMC 1 - The provision of face to face interpreting services Provider 1: Sussex Interpreting Services Provider 2: DA Languages Provider 3: Vandu Language Services Provider 4: Supreme Linguistics Services

ITMC 2 - The provision of telephone and spoken video Provider 1: The Big Word Provider 2: Sussex Interpreting Services Provider 3: Language Line Provider 4: Supreme Linguistics

ITMC 3 - The provision of face to face non-spoken interpreting services for people with sensory needs Provider 1: Action Deafness Provider 2: Sign Solutions Provider 3: Supreme Linguistics

ITMC 4 - The provision of non- spoken video interpreting services for British Sign Language users Provider 1: Action Deafness Provider 2: Sign Solutions Provider 3: Supreme Linguistics

ITMC 5 - The provision of translation, transcription and ancillary services Provider 1: The Big Word Provider 2: Vandu Language Services Provider 3: Supreme Linguistics

Additional information: Refer to NHS South of England Procurement Services to trigger the review procedures