This contract has been awarded under the urgent circumstances provision of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). This contract has been awarded under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Procurement Regulations 2024 do not apply to this award. This is an urgent award for additional remote NHS Talking Therapies treatment capacity across the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) Integrated Care Board footprint through a digitally enabled service model. The service will support existing NHS Talking Therapies providers by reducing waiting list pressures, increasing treatment capacity, improving access for underserved groups, and supporting delivery of the NHS England recovery plan. An Urgent Award has been put in place to allow for the safe continuance of services while market engagement to help inform future service scoping and procurement is planned. Contract period: 01 October 2026 - 30 September 2027 Contract Value: £1,000,000

This contract has been awarded under the urgent circumstances provision of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). This contract has been awarded under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Procurement Regulations 2024 do not apply to this award. This is an urgent award for additional remote NHS Talking Therapies treatment capacity across the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) Integrated Care Board footprint through a digitally enabled service model. The service will support existing NHS Talking Therapies providers by reducing waiting list pressures, increasing treatment capacity, improving access for underserved groups, and supporting delivery of the NHS England recovery plan. Provision of additional remote NHS Talking Therapies treatment capacity across the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) Integrated Care Board footprint through a digitally enabled service model. The service will support existing NHS Talking Therapies providers by reducing waiting list pressures, increasing treatment capacity, improving access for underserved groups, and supporting delivery of the NHS England recovery plan. The service model offer will deliver access to additional Step 3 treatment capacity, an established digital platform, multi-language provision, British Sign Language capability and the flexibility to support areas experiencing workforce shortages, waiting list pressures and increased demand. It is designed to operate alongside existing Talking Therapies pathways, supporting recovery while minimising disruption to established local services. An Urgent Award has been put in place to allow for the safe continuance of services while market engagement to help inform future service scoping and procurement is planned. Contract period: 01 October 2026 - 30 September 2027 Contract Value: £1,000,000 The current decision to award a 12-month contract falls under the allowed Urgent Award option of the PSR 2023 regulations and is based on current funding and service requirements and, critically, the rescoping of Talking Therapy services in our region to ensure an equitable service for all patients across the North East. Market Engagement to allow the market to help inform future services and provide feedback is planned for late 2026/early 2027 and future notices will inform the market of all opportunities to take part in engagement.