Prior information notice
This notice is for prior information only
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
KENT COMMUNITY HEALTH NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
RYY
Trinity House, 110/120 Upper Pemberton, Eureka Park, Kennington
Ashford
TN254AZ
UK
Contact person: Connor Hubbard
E-mail: connor.hubbard@nhs.net
NUTS: UKJ4
Internet address(es)
Main address: https://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/
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
MSK Physiotherapy AI Service
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85142100
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
The Authority requires a UK-based digital physiotherapy service in which advanced artificial intelligence (AI) is the primary driver of care delivery, ensuring services that are safe, consistent, and cost-effective.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKJ4
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Authority requires a UK-based digital physiotherapy service in which advanced artificial intelligence (AI) is the primary driver of care delivery, ensuring services that are safe, consistent, and cost-effective.
The service is expected to deliver a readily available, comprehensive, end-to-end clinical pathway for both new and existing patients, functioning as a full alternative to traditional care pathways rather than as an adjunct, supplementary offering, or "waiting well" solution.
The appointed supplier must be capable of taking full clinical and operational ownership and responsibility for the entire patient journey. This includes referral intake, diagnostic triage, clinical assessment, personalised treatment planning, treatment delivery, and discharge. The service delivered should be a hybrid model of digital/AI physiotherapist appointments plus virtual availability of HCPC registered physiotherapists employed by the contracted provider.
Accordingly, the supplier must hold Care Quality Commission (CQC) registration to evidence strong clinical governance. In addition, the AI solution must be certified as a Class IIa medical device and be available 24/7 to support safe, timely triage and clinical diagnosis.
The full specification, with the Authority's detailed requirements, can be requested by emailing the Trust Contact for this notice.
II.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice:
04/05/2026
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
No
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
This notice is on behalf of the Kent Community NHS Health Foundation Trust (KCHFT), whom is the contracting authority.
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intended approach 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, nor the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award.'
It is the Authority's intention to award a contract following the most suitable provider process, under the provider selection regime (The Healthcare Services Regulations 2023).
The award decision makers will be the Integrated MSK Services Head of Service, Associate Director for Planned Care, and Chief Finance Officer.
It is anticipated that the initial term of the contract will be a 3-6 month pilot phase, followed by up to 3, optional 1 year extension.
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
02/04/2026