The service was originally awarded under Direct Award A due to sole provider/pathway dependency. CWP is now continuing with the existing provider under Direct Award C as UHNM NMCPS has consistently delivered the CYP Eating Disorder Pathology Service to a satisfactory standard, with no quality concerns, and the service model is fully embedded within the clinical pathway.

UHNM, delivered via the North Midlands and Cheshire Pathology Service, is an established NHS provider with the appropriate organisational standing, governance, workforce, technical capability and clinical infrastructure to deliver the Children and Young People Eating Disorder Pathology Service. The provider has an identifiable NHS organisational code, a registered principal place of business, and existing arrangements for secure electronic requesting, reporting and clinical escalation. The provider is not an SME and is part of a statutory NHS Trust, with appropriate financial governance, clinical governance, information governance, safeguarding, quality assurance and business continuity arrangements in place. There is no evidence from the current contract term of exclusion grounds, material performance failure, quality concerns, conflicts of interest, or inability to meet the requirements of the proposed contract. The provider has demonstrated that it has the relevant experience, specialist pathology expertise, laboratory systems, professional advice arrangements and established NHS pathway links required to deliver the service safely and effectively. On this basis, the provider satisfies the basic selection criteria and is considered capable of continuing to deliver the proposed contract to a sufficient standard. This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by 5th August 2026 to cwp.contracts@nhs.net. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under Direct Award C. There has been no substantial change to the nature or cost of the service delivered. The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard with the weighting 100 Approximate Lifetime Value of the Contract - £4000 The Service is intended to be provided; 01/04/2026 to 31/03/2027