Aldersbrook Medical Centre GMS/PMS

The procurement for the Oliver McGowan Training (OMT) delivery hubs will primarily provide access to tier 1 and tier 2 training and lead trainer services for health care partners in the NE London care system.

NHS England has allocated funding to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to ensure the delivery of OMT, targeting all relevant healthcare staff across CQC-registered providers. The programme emphasizes standardized training delivery using the nationally developed OMT package and the development of a sustainable, scalable model for long-term compliance.

To meet these requirements, a two-hub OMT delivery model has been developed for North East London, with a total cost of £1,069,696 over 18 months (£534,848 per hub).

It is the intention of the contracting Authority to award one contract to be hosted by NELFT (North East London NHS Foundation Trust), and the other by Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. While each hub primarily serve a designated area, a reciprocal arrangement allows staff to attend training at either location, maximizing accessibility. The hubs will collaborate to ensure consistent training delivery and resource sharing. Together, they aim to train approximately 5200 tier 1 and 8200 tier 2 staff. Critically, the hubs will create 120-140 paid experts with lived experience trainer roles for individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism, promoting inclusivity and aligning with the ICS's employment priorities.

The expected impact of OMT includes improved clinical outcomes, such as reduced health disparities, fewer misdiagnoses, and a more person-centred approach to care. Social benefits include increased community inclusion, reduced stigma, and an enhanced quality of life for individuals with learning disabilities and autism. Furthermore, the programme aims to provide income streams for the VCSE sector. Additional information: The rationale for a direct award of contracts to NELFT (North East London NHS Foundation Trust) and Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for the delivery of the Oliver McGowan Training (OMT) programme in North East London. Given the tight timelines, with the Procurement Act 2024 taking effect on 24/02, the decision to make a direct award is driven by the urgent need to implement the OMT programme effectively and efficiently, to commit funding against contracts, the scale and specialized nature of the training required, the high level of growth of pool of experts with lived experience that is needed, and the imperative to establish a sustainable training infrastructure and build market providers.

The ICB requires training at scale for the entire healthcare system, encompassing a large number of staff across diverse settings, delivering at or near sites of employment within the NE London geography.

A direct award to NELFT and Homerton is recommended under Public Contracts Regulation 32 - Use of the negotiated procedure without prior publication due to their unique capabilities and expertise in LD&A education and learning, established relationships within the North East London LD&A communities, and proven ability to meet these demanding requirements to provide Mandatory and Statutory Training at this scale. Setting up a sustainable not for profit training service aligns with NHS England's funding directives, facilitates the development of sustainable local infrastructure, supports community development, and delivers a lasting legacy of equity and empowerment to improve the health inequalities for our Learning Disability and Autism LD&A communities.

The following key points detail the rationale for this direct award:

1. Alignment with NHSE Funding Requirements: The proposed model directly supports NHS England's requirements for the OMT programme, focusing on a sustainable, not-for-profit training service delivering impactful outcomes.
2. Capacity to Scale and Deliver: The training pool will be scaled to a capacity to provide training for 20,000 staff annually by Oct 2026, requiring significant investment in recruitment infrastructure, and pastoral support. The Trusts possess existing resources and a proven track record in delivering large-scale statutory training, making them uniquely positioned to meet these demands.
3. Specialised Nature of the Training: OMT is tailored to the specific needs of individuals with LD&A in clinical and non-clinical settings. The Trusts' extensive experience in LD&A training and support makes them the most qualified providers for this specialized service.
4. Expertise as CQC-Regulated Providers: As CQC-regulated organisations, the Trusts ensure compliance with the draft Code of Practice and are well-equipped to navigate future regulatory requirements, providing stability within the sector.
5. Development of Local Training Infrastructure: Collaboration with local voluntary and social enterprises will establish a sustainable OMT infrastructure, diversify the market, and broaden access to high-quality training, fostering not-for-profit micro-training providers.
6. Employment of Local Experts: Employing LD&A experts with lived experience from local communities ensures high-quality training delivery and reduces travel burdens, promoting trainer wellbeing and aligning with NHS equity commitments. This is crucial given the limited pool of individuals with this lived experience and the demands on this group.
7. Strong Local Connections for Recruitment: The Trusts' established networks through the Integrated Care Partnership, patient groups, and internship programmes enable rapid and efficient recruitment of trainers, ensuring training targets are met.
8. Legacy and Community Impact: The programme aims to reduce health inequalities by linking training outcomes with paid employment opportunities, supporting employability initiatives across North East London and amplifying local benefits in line with the system's LD&A strategy.
9. Pilot Model for Sustainability: An 18-month, two-hub pilot (inner and outer NE London…