For the avoidance of doubt this is not a Call for Competition - this is to raise awareness of an upcoming tender opportunity and to encourage expressions of interest.

Healthwatch Staffordshire is an independent consumer champion for both health and social care services in Staffordshire.

The aim of this service is to ensure they work in the best interests of patients, service users and residents and utilise intelligence gathered to influence commissioning and improve overall quality of health and social care provision.

Staffordshire County Council will be going to market to recommission this service with effect from 1 April 2018.

We want to commission a provider who can support and shape the Staffordshire Sustainability and Transformation Programme (STP) and the Health and Wellbeing Board priorities by ensuring plans reflect the patient and user voice.

In doing this their role is to work with partners to improve the overall quality of health and care outcomes across Staffordshire.

For the avoidance of doubt this service excludes the geographic area covered by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

The successful provider will be expected to: • Have a good understanding of the Staffordshire's health and care system and develop effective working relationships with all key stakeholders in this area • Provide support and influence key stakeholders in the design and delivery of Staffordshire's health and care priorities. • Ensuring there is a public voice on how services are planned, commissioned and delivered to make a difference locally. • Make appropriate linkages with key decision making structures, including its statutory role on the Health and Wellbeing Board and supporting the Scrutiny Committee in their work programme to do this. • Have a good understanding of existing networks and utilise these as appropriate to deliver Healthwatch statutory functions. • Ensure close working links with Staffordshire County Council's advocacy provider(s), in helping people to make a complaint about a local health service independent of the NHS.

The estimated annual budget could be up to £210,000 per annum.

Indicative timescales for this tender opportunity are outlined below.

These may be subject to change. • Jun/Jul 2017 - Stakeholder and public engagement • September 2017 - Advertise and issue tender • October 2017 - Tender closes • December 2017 - Commencement of lead in period • 1 April 2018 - Contract commencement Furthermore, we would like to hear from anyone who may have questions or would like to discuss this tender opportunity with us.

Please contact Kate Waterhouse on 01785 277893 or Wendy Tompson on 01785 854267 for an informal discussion.