The provision of Community Speech and Language Therapy in West Lancashire from 01 July 2026

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust is being commissioned by Merseyside and West Lancashire NHS Foundation Trust to provide community therapy services in West Lancashire from 1 July 2026. During mobilisation of the new service, including the TUPE process for staff from the previous provider, it was identified for the first time that elements of the service had been delivered via a subcontract with The Speech and Language Clinic. This subcontracting arrangement was not previously known to the Trust and could not reasonably have been identified earlier. As a result, there is an immediate requirement to ensure continuity of care for patients currently receiving speech and language therapy. Any interruption to this service would present a risk to patient safety, including potential deterioration in clinical condition and impact on safeguarding and rehabilitation outcomes. Due to the timing of this unforeseen issue arising during mobilisation, it is not possible to recruit an alternative workforce or undertake a compliant procurement process without creating a break in service provision. The Trust is therefore making an urgent direct award to The Speech and Language Clinic under Regulation 14 of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The contract will be for a period of 12 months (value £102,960) to ensure continuity of service while the Trust undertakes longer-term arrangements, including workforce planning and/or procurement in accordance with the Provider Selection Regime.