NEPTS -Non-Emergency Patient Transport Early Engagement Event - Norfolk & Waveney ICB

NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board (referred to as the Commissioner) are inviting suitably qualified and experienced providers to express their interest in delivering Non- Emergency Patient Transport services ((NEPTs) for eligible Norfolk and Waveney patients across NHS Norfolk and Waveney ICB.

The aim of this service is to provide Non- Emergency Transport for eligible Norfolk and Waveney patients with a medical need, between their places of residence, community, social care and acute settings transporting patients in safe, timely, comfortable and clinically appropriate transport without detriment to their medical condition. This includes all Mental health transport, both secure and non/specialist. There is a need for the NEPTS Provider in the post-COVID pandemic to be able to respond to rapidly changing regional demand patterns to cater for the patient, the Acute Trusts, Community partners, Mental health partners and other stakeholder partners across Norfolk and Waveney ICS.

It is anticipated that the contract period will an initial be for a period of 5 years with the option to extend for up to a further two years, commencing 1st October 2024. The indicative timescales for the tender release date is scheduled for July 2023. A standard NHS contract will be used for this service.

The purpose of this advert is to invite the market to engage, provide feedback on the draft specification and register for an online market engagement event, which is scheduled on 31st May 2023 for the provision of a NEPTs service by testing key themes from the new service model and provide the ICB with valuable information to ensure that the Service Specification is fit for purpose.


The deadline for Soft Market Testing responses is by 17:00 hours on 31st May 2023. Please note this is a market testing exercise and does not commit the ICB to carry out any further procurement process. Current services will remain in place during this period in line with existing contracts and service level agreements. Any future opportunity will be advertised in accordance with the regulations.


It is anticipated that the contract period will be for an initial period of 5 years with the option to extend for up to a further two years, commencing 1st October 2024. The indicative contract value is £77m (£55m for the initial 5 year term with an option to extend for a further 2 years totalling £77m over the 7 year term). This is subject to review following the early engagement.

Commissioners indicative timescales for the tender release date is scheduled for July 2023, but may be subject to change depending on the engagement feedback.