NHS Vale of York CCG as lead commissioner on behalf of Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby CCG, Scarborough and Ryedale CCG and Harrogate and Rural District CCG wishes to engage with the market in relation to Adult Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Assessment and Diagnostic Service.

NHS Vale of York CCG are inviting potential providers of this service to respond to this expression of interest and indicate if they would be interested in bidding for this opportunity if NHS Vale of York CCG were to undertake a competitive procurement process.

The current budget is circa £250K per annum.

There is currently on going engagement and consultation with service users, carers, community and voluntary organisations and mental health professionals.

The NHS Vale of York and three North Yorkshire CCGs, along with City Of York Council and North Yorkshire County Council, aim to coordinate services across all relevant agencies encompassing the whole autism care pathway.

This will show the journey from early identification to assessment and referral and into support and action, with awareness raising, education, advocacy and personal support as crucial elements throughout.

We are looking for providers who can contribute to this partnership approach to delivering high-quality care for people with autism and their families and carers and bring added value to the health and social care economy across the Vale of York and North Yorkshire.

The services need to ensure that they meet requirements of relevant legislation, follow evidence based best practice, and are aligned to NICE, and other relevant guidance.

The service will provide a multidisciplinary adult assessment and post diagnostic support service for people aged 18 years and above who are suspected of having a condition that lies on the Autistic Spectrum Disorder continuum or suffering from behaviours that suggest Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

In addition it will work with CAMHS/ Children's and Adolescents Autism services to ensure a smooth transition from children to adult services.

The service will provide advice and training for clinicians in primary and secondary care to ensure patient pathways are clear and that people do not experience any problems accessing the healthcare they require.

In addition it will raise awareness of ASDs and ADHD within other health and social care organisations to help improve access for people with autism and ADHD to mainstream services; also to contribute to and maintain information and advice on local services and follow-up support for people with autism and ADHD.

Please could you respond by email to annabourne@nhs.net indicating if you would be interested in this opportunity if it were to be a competitive procurement exercise?

As part of the email, could you also give a brief summary of your experience in providing a similar service.

Expressions of interest need to be received no later than 5pm on Tuesday 13 March 2018.