Multi-million pound contract to improve health of Wiganers

Wigan Council will renew millions of pounds worth of vital community health services for at least the next five years, it has been revealed.
Services include community stop smoking sessionsServices include community stop smoking sessions
Services include community stop smoking sessions

The town hall has begun the £12.4m tendering process for a range of community health services and is encouraging businesses to bid for the contract - which includes providing stopping smoking and weight loss services.

This process is in relation to three existing services regarding health improvement, specialist weight management and community link workers which are coming to an end in mid-2019.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In a bid to save public money the council has bundled all of the services into one contract meaning which will then be awarded to the successful applicants.

Professor Kate Ardern, director of public health at Wigan Council said: “Following three separate services within our health provision coming to an end, we are advertising the new contracts in one process in line with standard practice.

“We encourage any eligible organisations to apply and we will make our decision based on a range of factors including value for money, expertise, partnership working and more.”

The contract, which begins in July 2019 and runs until June 2024, will include “community link services”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The successful bidder will be required to address “non-clinical demands” on primary, community and acute health care services.

They will be expected to carry out an “intervention” that uses “health coaching” to connect people to services within the community and drive them away from the already under-pressure healthcare providers such as GP surgeries and hospitals.

A description of the contract says: “Community link workers interventions improve the health and well-being of local people by connecting them to community based activities which support their independence and reduce reliance on acute or specialist services.”

The closing date for applications is February 1.