Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership-Procurement Services (hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust)
4-5 Charnwood Court,, Heol Billingsley, Parc Nantgarw
Cardiff
CF15 7QZ
UK
Contact person: Nicola Craven
Telephone: +44 2921500686
E-mail: nicola.craven@wales.nhs.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://nwssp.nhs.wales/ourservices/procurement-services/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0221
I.2) Joint procurement
The contract is awarded by a central purchasing body
I.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Health
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
The Provision of Drug & Alcohol Prescribing - Criminal Justice Services
Reference number: SBU-MSPP-62330
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85312500
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The Health Board is commissioning an interim clinical drug and alcohol treatment service to support adults in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot who require prescribing interventions, including those within the criminal justice system. The service will deliver safe, evidence‑based opioid substitution therapy and alcohol treatment, with rapid clinical assessment and a strong emphasis on same‑day or timely prescribing to minimise risk and improve engagement. It will work as part of the wider Alliance model, integrating seamlessly with psychosocial services and supporting continuity of care from custody, court and prison into the community. The provider will be responsible for maintaining robust clinical governance, ensuring compliance with national guidelines, and collaborating closely with criminal justice partners to facilitate effective pathways, reduce harm, and support individuals' recovery goals.
II.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT:
750 000.00
GBP
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL18
Main site or place of performance:
The Service will be provided across the whole Swansea Bay University Health Board Footprint
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The interim clinical drug and alcohol treatment service will deliver a comprehensive range of prescribing interventions, including stabilisation, reduction, withdrawal, detoxification, relapse prevention, and support towards recovery or abstinence, all in line with UK clinical guidelines and NICE standards. The service is designed for rapid access, aiming for same-day prescribing wherever possible and guaranteeing that waiting times from referral to treatment do not exceed 10 working days, including for those within the criminal justice system. Continuity of care is a priority, ensuring uninterrupted prescribing for individuals released from prison or court, with provision for evening, weekend, and bank holiday coverage. Clinical assessment is mandatory prior to prescribing, and the assessment will follow the individual throughout their recovery journey.
The service will support a range of criminal justice pathways, including Drug Testing on Arrest (DToA), Arrest Referral, Drug Rehabilitation Requirement (DRR), Alcohol Treatment Requirement (ATR), and continuity of care following release from prison. Robust clinical governance will be maintained, aligned to Public Health Wales standards, with regular audits, mandatory training, and compliance with all statutory and regulatory frameworks. The provider will work closely with criminal justice partners—such as police, probation, courts, and prison healthcare—to facilitate effective pathways, reduce harm, and support recovery goals. Performance standards include minimum KPIs of prescribing within 10 working days, same-day opioid substitution therapy (OST) availability, and seamless continuity of care for individuals released from prison.
The service will exclude individuals with significant unmanaged physical or mental health needs, pregnant women, and those over 80 years old, as these cases will be managed within Community Drug and Alcohol Team (CDAT) services.
The service must be provided within the Swansea Bay Footprint. Currently there is only one specialist provider that are able to deliver the Health Boards requirement.
II.2.14) Additional information
This will be awarded following the Most Suitable Provider Process. The contract will be for a One Year
Duration, from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
01/04/2026
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
This is a Provider Selection Regime Wales (PSR Wales) intended approach notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Services (Provider Selection Regime) (Wales) Regulations 2025. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts
Regulations 2015/Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award.
This will be awarded following the Most Suitable Provider Process. The contract will be for a One Year Duration, from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027.
The Decision Maker on behalf of the Health Board is Mrs Hannah Roan, Assistant Director of Planning & Partnerships - Commissioning & Sustainability.
(WA Ref:162228)
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
27/02/2026