CONTRACT NOTICE – NATIONAL

1 Authority Details

1.1

Authority Name and Address

1.2

Address from which documentation may be obtained

As in 1.1

1.3

Completed documents must be returned to:

As in 1.1

2 Contract Details

2.1

Title

Tender for the NHS Guardian/Freedom to Speak Up Provision

2.2

Description of the goods or services required

The Health Board has carefully considered the options for providing a mechanism for staff to raise concerns. This has fully taken on board ABMU’s response to the NHS Wales Staff Survey (2018) and the suggestions from staff around the provision of a confidential and independent service. ABMU therefore wishes to contract the services of a freedom to speak up service which will provide independent, confidential and non-judgmental support for staff, students and volunteers who wish to raise concerns. The provider will deliver a whole system accessible solution, which focuses on supporting individuals and is resolution-focused. This could be in relation to any worry or risk in the workplace, including patient safety. The Health Board welcome tenders from organisations that have a track record of providing this service on a 24/7 basis within the public sector or NHS, providing nominated “guardians/ freedom to speak up individuals” to support individuals and face to face as requested. The provider will also work on a partnership basis with the Heath Board and will be data driven to enable the Health Board to learn and improve.

The Freedom to Speak Up Review (Francis 2015) was set up in response to continuing disquiet about the way NHS organisations deal with concerns raised by NHS staff and the treatment of some of those who have spoken up. Although this review was aimed at the NHS England the lessons are universal to Wales. The review advocates the setting up of ‘Freedom to speak up Guardians’. Speaking up is essential in any sector where safety is an issue. Without a shared culture of openness and honesty in which the raising of concerns is welcomed, and the staff who raise them are valued, the barriers to speaking up identified in the Freedom to Speak Up Review will persist and flourish.

(https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20150218150512/http://freedomtospeakup.org.uk/the-report/)

Appointing a Guardian / freedom to speak up service for the organisation will ensure a consistent approach and a coordinated drive to create the right culture.

NOTE: The authority is using eTenderwales to carry out this procurement process. To obtain further information record your interest on Sell2Wales at https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/search_switch.aspx?ID=88621

2.3

Notice Coding and Classification

2.4

Total quantity or scope of tender

Service Objectives

The Provider will need:

- to provide resources, promotional material and support in communicating the launch of the service to staff across all sites within the Health Board;

- to offer a confidential service;

- to provide 24/7, 365 days a year support;

- to provide an individualised, non-judgemental, professional one – to – one initial assessment by telephone;

- where required provide follow up conversations by both telephone and face to face;

- to gain an understanding of the Health Board and its processes, policies, services and structures;

- to not replace existing processes, but provide staff with an additional option;

- to not intervene where existing investigations, formal policies or processes are being implemented;

- to enable individuals to freely talk about their concerns and help them to understand their situation more clearly;

- to help individuals experiencing difficulties to find their own way towards a resolution;

- support the resolution of concerns relating to bullying and harassment, disrespect and inactivity, poor working practices and staff and patient safety;

- develop processes which Protects the Health Board and its reputation as well as individuals;

- to work closely with senior decision makers in the organisation to ensure patient/staff safety concerns requiring action are resolved within agreed timescales (highlighted in project plan)

- to respond to all concerns and categories of concerns raised within 3 working days

- develop and adhere to a clear escalation protocol / RAG system

- to provide comprehensive anonymised reports on all activity and contacts that are cumulative to support and detect trends

- to attend board meetings to report trends and concerns arising on a quarterly basis

3 Conditions for Participation

3.1

Minimum standards and qualification required

4 Administrative Information

4.1

Type of Procedure

Single stage

4.2

Reference number attributed to the notice by the contracting authority

ABM-ITT-40759-018-NC-018

4.3

Time Limits

4.5

Language or languages in which tenders or requests to participate can be drawn up

4.6

Tender Submission Postbox

5 Other Information

5.1

Additional Information

Tender documents will be available on Bravo Etender Wales:

https://etenderwales.bravosolution.co.uk/web/login.shtml

Tender Reference: ABM-ITT-40759-018-NC-018

(WA Ref:88621)

5.2

Additional Documentation

5.3

Publication date of this notice