Award of Social Prescribing Link Worker and Health Coach Services Across Somerset

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NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit awarded a contract to Community Council for Somerset, Health Connections Mendip, and Rural Practice Network for the provision of Social Prescribing Link Worker and Health Coach services across Somerset.

The contract formalises a county-wide Social Prescribing Model jointly funded by Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group and Somerset Primary Care Networks to ensure an equitable baseline level of these roles across all PCN areas.

The contract term is 3 years with a possible extension of up to a further 2 years at the Commissioner's discretion, and the value is £4,887,133.

The award was made without competition under regulation 32(2)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 on the grounds that competition is absent for technical reasons, as the named providers are considered the only ones capable of meeting the needs in each locality due to their extensive local knowledge, trust with community groups, and strong relationships with local health and care teams.