The BBCS Procurement Collaborative, hosted by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) is Preliminary Market Engagement for a contract for Urgent Primary Care Service on behalf of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.

The BBCS Procurement Collaborative, hosted by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) is conducting Preliminary Market Engagement for a contract for Urgent Primary Care Service on behalf of Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.

The aim of this Pre-Market Engagement is to determine cost saving benefits across two operating hours models, these are broken down further below.

Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust see up to 30% patients that self-present to the Emergency Department (ED) do so with symptoms that could be better managed within primary care. This impacts adversely on the ability of ED staff to assess, diagnose and treat those patients who need the skills and expertise of ED staff.

The number of patients currently presenting to ED can lead to following problems:
i. Departmental overcrowding
ii. Compromised infection prevention and control measures
iii. Patient safety risks
iv. Long waiting times
v. Complaints
vi. Reputational damage
vii. Reduced staff morale

The aim of this service is to provide a service to redirect patients from the Emergency Department (ED) queue who are suitable for attending their family GP or Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) in the community. This has the aim of reducing waiting times for minor illness category patients as well as promoting a change in help seeking behaviour in the future to a primary care service where appropriate.

The below table indicates the lots the Trust is looking to test as part of this Pre Market Engagement lot:
Lot # Trust Site Days Service Hours / Slots
LOT 1 BWC Birmingham Children's Hospital 7 Day Service Weekday: 14:00 - 22:00: 21 slots
Weekend: 12:00 - 22:00: 27 slots
LOT 2 BWC Birmingham Children's Hospital 3 Day Service; Saturday, Sunday, Monday. Weekday 14:00 - 22:00: 21 slots. Weekend 12:00 - 22:00: 27 slots


The service will be provided at the below site:
Birmingham Children's Hospital
Steelhouse Lane
Birmingham
B4 6NH
Tel 0121 333 9999

Staffing
The Provider shall supply a sufficient number and type of staff required to deliver the service:
1 Clinician (ACP, GP or alternative appropriate clinical decision maker)
1 Receptionist
1 Clinical Support worker / Healthcare Assistant

Contract Length:
The anticipated contract will be for a minimum of 2 years with an option to extend for a further 2 x 12-month periods with an anticipated commencement date of October 2026.

Authority Profile
We are Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust – proud to bring together the expertise of Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Birmingham Women’s Hospital.

Our Trust is the first of its type in the UK, formed in February 2017 to drive forward our commitment to providing the highest quality, world-class care that women, children and families want, and deserve.

Engagement Description
Prior to the start of the formal procurement process, the BBCS Procurement Collaborative seeks expressions of interest from potential Suppliers wishing to tender for this opportunity.

We reserve the right to exchange information about services to be provided, this may take the form of a market engagement event and/or issue a Supplier questionnaire.

Suppliers wishing to participate, should express an interest in the first instance via the health family single e-Commercial system portal. (Atamis) by Friday 5th June 2026.

Timetable for Pre Market Engagement
Please find below indicative timetable for the Pre Market Engagement:
Pre Market Notice issued: 22/05/2026
Pre Market Engagement Questionnaire Issued: 29/05/2026
Deadline for expressions of interest: 05/06/2026
Deadline for completion of Pre Market Engagement Questionnaire: 19/06/2026

Suppliers who express interest will be expected to complete a questionnaire and costing grid, this will be sent out to supplier on 29/05/2026 or when expression of interest is submitted.