Serco Selected as Preffered Bidder by NHS Suffolk
Serco selected as preferred bidder to deliver community health services for NHS Suffolk
22 March 2012
Serco Group plc (Serco), the international service company, announces today
that it has been selected as preferred bidder for a new contract to provide
community health services for NHS Suffolk. The contract, which is expected to
be signed in the coming months and is due to start in Autumn 2012, has a total
estimated value of £140m to Serco over three years.
Under the contract, Serco and its partners will provide a wide range of
community health services which include community nursing, specialist nursing,
management and operation of community hospitals, speech and language therapy,
specialist children's services and community equipment services. Around 1,000
staff are expected to transfer to the new service with their terms and
conditions protected under TUPE regulations.
To deliver the services Serco will work with a range of NHS and third sector
partners including: South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
(SEPT), a leading provider of community and mental health services, and Bedford
Community Dentistry, a community interest company specialising in the provision
of dental services to vulnerable groups.
The partnership approach developed by Serco will create a unique model of
integrated service delivery for Suffolk. This will address local health and
geographical needs by simplifying services and processes, and utilising new
technologies to improve accessibility and address the rural needs of Suffolk
patients. The model focuses resources to the frontline, increasing the time
clinicians spend with patients and improving the overall patient experience.
The approach builds on Serco's experience of working in partnership with the
NHS and third sector providers, including its management of Braintree Community
Hospital, and the pathology joint venture with two NHS Foundations Trusts in
London. Serco also provides out of hours GP care in Cornwall and is a leading
provider of occupational health services, supporting the health and wellbeing
of over 450,000 employees in the UK.
Dr Paul Watson, chief executive of NHS Suffolk, said: "We have been determined
to find the very best organisation to manage these community services in the
future, to provide benefit and opportunity to our patients and staff. Serco
has been carefully selected and has provided us with a detailed proposal,
giving rigorous evidence of its experience as a service provider and its vision
and innovative plans for further improving our community services."
Christopher Hyman, Chief Executive of Serco Group, said: "We are delighted to
have been chosen by NHS Suffolk to deliver these vital services. By bringing
together best in class partners, we believe that we have created an integrated
model of service delivery that empowers clinicians, puts the patient at the
heart of the service and will make community health in Suffolk a truly
exemplary service. This contract adds to our portfolio of services in the
rapidly growing global health sector. We look forward to continuing our
international track record for improving services for patients and other end
users and delivering efficiencies for our customers."
Ends
For further information please contact Serco:
Stuart Ford, Head of Investor Relations T +44 (0) 208 334 4122
Marcus De Ville, Head of Media Relations T +44 (0) 208 334 4334
About Serco
Serco is a FTSE 100 international service company, which combines commercial
know-how with a deep public service ethos.
Around the world, we improve essential services by managing people, processes,
technology and assets more effectively. We advise policy makers, design
innovative solutions, integrate systems and - most of all deliver to the
public.
Serco supports governments, agencies and companies who seek a trusted partner
with a solid track record of providing assured service excellence. Our people
offer operational, management and consulting expertise in the aviation, BPO,
defence, education, environmental services, facilities management, health, home
affairs, information and communications technology, knowledge services, local
government, science and nuclear, transport, welfare to work and the commercial
sectors.
More information can be found at www.serco.com