Home / Opportunities / Opportunity
PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

NHS SY ICB - Non Emergency Patient Transport Service

NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board · compiled

Tender information last checkedLast checked 29 Sept 2026, 22:17.

Opportunity overview

To provide Service Users who are eligible for transport will receive safe, timely, dignified and comfortable transport, without detriment to their medical condition.<br/>To ensure that service delivery is high quality, responsive, high performing, provides value for money, is environmentally efficient, considers sustainability and innovative in the use of information technology.<br/>To provide a safe environment with suitable trained staff for Service Users to travel to their appointment.<br/>Service Provider must demonstrate a commitment to reduce carbon emissions and the carbon footprint of service users journeys where possible.

Awarded to

Amounts belong to published awards or contracts. Where several suppliers share one value, it is labelled as shared and is not a supplier-specific allocation.

First 4 Care Ltf

Match pending…
Contract value
£322.7k
Awarded
Not supplied
Contract signed
21 Feb 2025
Award ID
007554-2025-1
Status
active
Location
Edwinstowe, UK, NG21 9HS, United Kingdom

Classification

  • CPV85143000 — Ambulance services

Lots

  • To provide Service Users who are eligible for transport will receive safe, timely, dignified and comfortable transport, without detriment to their medical condition.<br/>To ensure that service delivery is high quality, responsive, high performing, provides value for money, is environmentally efficient, considers sustainability and innovative in the use of information technology.<br/>To provide a safe environment with suitable trained staff for Service Users to travel to their appointment.<br/>Service Provider must demonstrate a commitment to reduce carbon emissions and the carbon footprint of service users journeys where possible.<br/><br/>South Yorkshire ICB are intending to award a contract an existing provider following direct award process C.<br/><br/>The approximate value of the contract will be £322,672.<br/><br/>The contract will run from 1st April 2025 to 30th September 2025. Additional information: The key criteria that were used to make a decision, are:<br/><br/>Key Criteria 1 - Quality & Innovation - Weighting 25%<br/><br/>There are no performance or quality issues with the First4Care Contract <br/><br/>There have been no breach notices or remdial action plans against the contract<br/><br/>The provider meets with the commissioner on a quarterly basis to discuss performance and activity. <br/>The provider is continually reviewing performance and suggesting ways to make improvements in care delivery. <br/><br/>Key Criteria 2 - Value - Weighting 20%<br/><br/>It is estimated that around £460 million is spent on NEPTS a year across England – at an average cost of around £38 per journey. That represents about £1 in every £275 spent by the NHS, approximately the same as the total cost of radiotherapy. For people with a medical or severe mobility need, non-emergency patient transport services (NEPTS) provide an essential means to access the NHS, who otherwise might not be able to attend appointments of be discharged from hospital. <br/><br/>First4 Care is an independent provider of transport services and is flexible to take advantage of local workforce offering VfM for the system and employability of people in the local area. This is reflected in the 'Outstanding' CQC rating results, with the inspection stating that First4Care has an innovative staffing model, based on grassroot ownership, which empowered staff in decision making to drive quality and service.<br/><br/>There are currently no performance notices for any of the KPIs associated with the contract.<br/><br/>The provider are willing to deliver the service at the current contract value. The service cost value of service will not increase. <br/><br/>CQC registered and inspected with the latest inspection being 31 May 2023. First4Care have been rated as 'Good' in all areas and 'Outstanding' in the Well-led department. <br/><br/>The service meets the agreed response times and treats patients with compassion and kindness, respects their privacy and dignity and takes account of their individual needs.<br/><br/>Key Criteria 3 - Integration, collaboration and service sustainability - Weighting 25%<br/><br/>On average the Provider discharges a total of 11,268 patients per annum from Barnsley, Rotherham, and Doncaster hospitals, who otherwise would not be able to be discharged from hospital. The Provider works collaboratively with system partners ensuring greater regional alignment to create a consistent minimum service offer for patients and acute trust partners- simpler interface, avoiding delays and confusion<br/><br/>PTS Patient Charter explains the providers responsibilities and commitment to providing the highest quality service to SY patients. It has been designed in conjunction with hospitals and other healthcare organisations and professionals in South Yorkshire.<br/><br/>The provider has actively listened to patients, staff, volunteers, our SY communities and our healthcare partners to make sure their strategy is reflective of their views and expectations:<br/><br/>The provider has committed to deliver the most clinically appropriate response for every patient, whenever and where they need it. Provide care that is personalised, joined up and coordinated with the wider healthcare system, Deliver quality care that is evidence informed, person centred, safe and compassionate and provide support and care delivered by professional, kind and respectful staff.<br/><br/>Key Criteria 4 - Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice - Weighting 20%<br/><br/>In South Yorkshire there is a population of 1.37 million, 18% of people aged 65 and over, 36.7% of people live in the bottom 20% of most deprived areas nationally. 16.9% belong to an ethnic minority, Prevalence of issues related to obesity and smoking, such as breathing problems, diabetes and heart disease<br/><br/>Provide a service that is accessible to all and makes reasonable adjustments to support those who need them<br/>- Develop the use of data, patient/community engagement and insight, evidence and evaluation to better understand access, experience, barriers and outcomes for specific population groups<br/> - Increased use of analysis, intelligence and sharing of data to inform population health priorities and system prevention initiatives<br/> - Develop organisational education/awareness programmes on reducing health inequalities<br/> - Engage with SY ICB to develop more opportunities VCSE and local authority engagement<br/>-Working in collaboration with people who have lived experience of health services, engaging with NHS England`s Strategic Coproduction Group.<br/><br/>Key Criteria 5 - Social Value - Weighting 10%<br/><br/>The provider utilises (where possible) the population from the locailty it is serving, which has increased employment, benefitting the local communty in terms of workforce and patients alike. <br/><br/>The provider has a commitment to reduce energy consumption by 10% in the next 2 years and is looking at electric fleet vehicles.<br/><br/>Current Initiatives in line with the NHS Green Plan<br/><br/>Delivering Net Zero Strategy <br/>NEPTS Fleet conversion to EV underway, currently largest EV fleet of any ambulance service, charging infrastructure within estate to support EV roll out <br/>Investment in local people and communities<br/>Expansive and Award-winning apprenticeship programme<br/>Career development pathways and volunteering programmes across all services<br/>Actively supporting staff Health & Well-being<br/>Investment in local economies <br/>NEPTS Lead Provider sub-contract service model, delivery in partnership with local businesses & VCSE providers.Value not stated

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
SYICB/ICS/NS/25/71
Status
complete
Procurement Method
limited
Main Procurement Category
services
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Why this procedure was chosen
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 12th March 2025. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR

Legal basis

Id
32014L0024
Scheme
CELEX

Classification

Id
85143000
Scheme
CPV
Description
Ambulance services

Procedure reasons

Entry 1
Id
D_OUTSIDE_SCOPE
Scheme
TED_PT_AWARD_CONTRACT_WITHOUT_CALL
Description
The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the directive

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
cancelled
Has Options
No
Description
To provide Service Users who are eligible for transport will receive safe, timely, dignified and comfortable transport, without detriment to their medical condition.<br/>To ensure that service delivery is high quality, responsive, high performing, provides value for money, is environmentally efficient, considers sustainability and innovative in the use of information technology.<br/>To provide a safe environment with suitable trained staff for Service Users to travel to their appointment.<br/>Service Provider must demonstrate a commitment to reduce carbon emissions and the carbon footprint of service users journeys where possible.<br/><br/>South Yorkshire ICB are intending to award a contract an existing provider following direct award process C.<br/><br/>The approximate value of the contract will be £322,672.<br/><br/>The contract will run from 1st April 2025 to 30th September 2025. Additional information: The key criteria that were used to make a decision, are:<br/><br/>Key Criteria 1 - Quality & Innovation - Weighting 25%<br/><br/>There are no performance or quality issues with the First4Care Contract <br/><br/>There have been no breach notices or remdial action plans against the contract<br/><br/>The provider meets with the commissioner on a quarterly basis to discuss performance and activity. <br/>The provider is continually reviewing performance and suggesting ways to make improvements in care delivery. <br/><br/>Key Criteria 2 - Value - Weighting 20%<br/><br/>It is estimated that around £460 million is spent on NEPTS a year across England – at an average cost of around £38 per journey. That represents about £1 in every £275 spent by the NHS, approximately the same as the total cost of radiotherapy. For people with a medical or severe mobility need, non-emergency patient transport services (NEPTS) provide an essential means to access the NHS, who otherwise might not be able to attend appointments of be discharged from hospital. <br/><br/>First4 Care is an independent provider of transport services and is flexible to take advantage of local workforce offering VfM for the system and employability of people in the local area. This is reflected in the 'Outstanding' CQC rating results, with the inspection stating that First4Care has an innovative staffing model, based on grassroot ownership, which empowered staff in decision making to drive quality and service.<br/><br/>There are currently no performance notices for any of the KPIs associated with the contract.<br/><br/>The provider are willing to deliver the service at the current contract value. The service cost value of service will not increase. <br/><br/>CQC registered and inspected with the latest inspection being 31 May 2023. First4Care have been rated as 'Good' in all areas and 'Outstanding' in the Well-led department. <br/><br/>The service meets the agreed response times and treats patients with compassion and kindness, respects their privacy and dignity and takes account of their individual needs.<br/><br/>Key Criteria 3 - Integration, collaboration and service sustainability - Weighting 25%<br/><br/>On average the Provider discharges a total of 11,268 patients per annum from Barnsley, Rotherham, and Doncaster hospitals, who otherwise would not be able to be discharged from hospital. The Provider works collaboratively with system partners ensuring greater regional alignment to create a consistent minimum service offer for patients and acute trust partners- simpler interface, avoiding delays and confusion<br/><br/>PTS Patient Charter explains the providers responsibilities and commitment to providing the highest quality service to SY patients. It has been designed in conjunction with hospitals and other healthcare organisations and professionals in South Yorkshire.<br/><br/>The provider has actively listened to patients, staff, volunteers, our SY communities and our healthcare partners to make sure their strategy is reflective of their views and expectations:<br/><br/>The provider has committed to deliver the most clinically appropriate response for every patient, whenever and where they need it. Provide care that is personalised, joined up and coordinated with the wider healthcare system, Deliver quality care that is evidence informed, person centred, safe and compassionate and provide support and care delivered by professional, kind and respectful staff.<br/><br/>Key Criteria 4 - Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice - Weighting 20%<br/><br/>In South Yorkshire there is a population of 1.37 million, 18% of people aged 65 and over, 36.7% of people live in the bottom 20% of most deprived areas nationally. 16.9% belong to an ethnic minority, Prevalence of issues related to obesity and smoking, such as breathing problems, diabetes and heart disease<br/><br/>Provide a service that is accessible to all and makes reasonable adjustments to support those who need them<br/>- Develop the use of data, patient/community engagement and insight, evidence and evaluation to better understand access, experience, barriers and outcomes for specific population groups<br/> - Increased use of analysis, intelligence and sharing of data to inform population health priorities and system prevention initiatives<br/> - Develop organisational education/awareness programmes on reducing health inequalities<br/> - Engage with SY ICB to develop more opportunities VCSE and local authority engagement<br/>-Working in collaboration with people who have lived experience of health services, engaging with NHS England`s Strategic Coproduction Group.<br/><br/>Key Criteria 5 - Social Value - Weighting 10%<br/><br/>The provider utilises (where possible) the population from the locailty it is serving, which has increased employment, benefitting the local communty in terms of workforce and patients alike. <br/><br/>The provider has a commitment to reduce energy consumption by 10% in the next 2 years and is looking at electric fleet vehicles.<br/><br/>Current Initiatives in line with the NHS Green Plan<br/><br/>Delivering Net Zero Strategy <br/>NEPTS Fleet conversion to EV underway, currently largest EV fleet of any ambulance service, charging infrastructure within estate to support EV roll out <br/>Investment in local people and communities<br/>Expansive and Award-winning apprenticeship programme<br/>Career development pathways and volunteering programmes across all services<br/>Actively supporting staff Health & Well-being<br/>Investment in local economies <br/>NEPTS Lead Provider sub-contract service model, delivery in partnership with local businesses & VCSE providers.

Award criteria

Criteria

Criterion 1
Name
the existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard
Type
quality
Description
100
Criterion 2
Name
Price
Type
cost
Description
0

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Delivery Location

Description
South Yorkshire

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKE3

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Id
GB-FTS-113634
Name
NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board

Roles

buyer

Address

Region
UKE32
Locality
Sheffield
Postal Code
S1 3FG
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
197 Eyre Street

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Id
BODY_PUBLIC
Scheme
TED_CA_TYPE
Description
Body governed by public law
Entry 2
Id
07
Scheme
COFOG
Description
Health

Identifier

Legal Name
NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board

Contact

Name
Procurement dep[artment
Organisation 2
Id
GB-FTS-139554
Name
First 4 Care Ltf

Roles

supplier

Address

Region
UK
Locality
Edwinstowe
Postal Code
NG21 9HS
Country Name
United Kingdom

Details

Scale
large

Identifier

Legal Name
First 4 Care Ltf
Organisation 3
Id
GB-FTS-61899
Name
NHS South Yorkshire ICB

Roles

reviewBody

Address

Locality
Sheffield
Postal Code
S9 4EU
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
722 Prince of Wales Road

Details

Identifier

Legal Name
NHS South Yorkshire ICB
Organisation 4
Id
GB-FTS-108768
Name
Independent Choice and Procurement Panel.

Roles

mediationBody

Address

Locality
London
Postal Code
SE1 8UG
Country Name
United Kingdom
Street Address
Wellington House

Details

Identifier

Legal Name
Independent Choice and Procurement Panel.

Award information

Award 1
Id
007554-2025-1
Status
active

Suppliers

Supplier 1
Id
GB-FTS-139554
Name
First 4 Care Ltf

Related lots

1

Contracts and changes

Entry 1
Id
007554-2025-1
Status
active
Award ID
007554-2025-1
Date Signed
21 Feb 2025, 00:00

Value

Amount
322,672
Currency
GBP

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · Sheffield · UKE32 · S1 3FG · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKE3

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. ocds-h6vhtk-04e8b7-2025-02-28T15:23:28Zcompiled ·