Notice of an Early Engagement Event for Device Repurposing

Repurposing devices through either recycling or gifting to patients and citizens to help bridge the digital inclusion divide and ensure no one is left behind.

The purpose of this notice is to inform market operators of a potential future exercise to procure services, and an early engagement event to get collaboration on the design and content of the service, to support the repurposing of NHS and Local Authority devices for the benefits of patients/citizens health.

Doing nothing to address the digital divide is not an option.

We are becoming more and more reliant upon digital technology to access health and care services as well as managing our own health.

There becomes an assumption that patients have the tools and skills to do this but there are common factors for a person to be digitally included, they need all the following: • Devices: easy access to up-to-date and reliable devices, appropriate for the tasks required. • Connectivity: reliable, affordable, and easy access to digital services.

E.g. data. • Skills: the necessary skills and confidence to perform, understand and carry out common digital tasks such as using email easily and safely. • Accessibility: easy access to information, platforms or digital.

Aligned with the regional ICB strategy on digital inclusion, this programme aims to support our most vulnerable and digitally excluded members of society through agreed clears pathways for referrals, where a need has been identified for a patient to have the necessary tools and digital skills to manage their health.

This programme's ambition is to ensure that patients/citizens have access to suitable devices and data to access services, with support.

In order to support this delivery the aim would be for all trusts and NHS partners across North East and North Cumbria to donate their unused devices.

In order to develop a procurement approach we will be holding an online early engagement event to invite potential suppliers to discuss the programme and explore the best way in which to do this to ensure we can deliver against our ambitions and support patients/citizens.

This event will be held on Thursday 5th September 2024 at 10am.

If you are a supplier interested in being part of this event, please register your interest by emailing Leanne Maitland - leanne.maitland@healthinnovationnenc.org.uk