Re-commissioning of Sexual Assault Referral Centre Services Across the South West

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NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit awarded a contract to University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Northern Devon NHS Foundation Trust, First Light Ltd, and Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust for the re-commissioning of Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) services across the South West.

The contract, valued at £11,444,482, was split into four geographical lots: Avon & Somerset, Devon & Cornwall, Swindon & Wiltshire, and Gloucestershire.

The procurement aimed to increase equity of access to SARC provision and ensure a consistent and high standard of quality care to victims of sexual assault, in line with national standards and recommendations set out in Specification No.

30.

Key objectives included providing consistency of available services across the South West, creating a borderless and flexible service, securing equal access to services across the region, increasing and improving cross-border links with SARCs outside of the South West region, ensuring 24/7 access via telephone, increasing self-referrals, providing clarity and consistency about services offered to different age groups, and operating as part of a coherent Sexual Assault Pathway.

SARC services within scope included provision and co-ordination of premises, facilities and management, crisis work, referral to and professional liaison with other services along the sexual assault pathway, and administration.

Paediatric services, including the direct employment of paediatricians, forensic doctors and nurses, were within lot.