Improving Services for Disabled Children & Young People in Wiltshire

A review of how speech language and communication needs are met in Wiltshire was initiated towards the end of 2007. As a result of the review in October 2008 Children and Young People’s Trust Board decided that Wiltshire County Council and Wiltshire Primary Care Trust would work together to jointly re-commission a single speech and language  therapy service.

The new contract will start in April 2010, however in the meantime existing services will  remain in place.

HOW WE HAVE WORKED TOGETHER ON THIS PROJECT

A wide range of stakeholders – parents/carers, and health and education professionals have provided vital insights throughout this process from the initial   review through to developing the specification for the new service. For example, consultation workshops were held with parents, carers & teachers in June 2009. These workshops set out the process for re-commissioning Speech and Language Therapy services in Wiltshire and sought views and opinions on the aims of the new service and how we will all know that it is working for children & young people in Wiltshire. This information was helpful in informing both the service specification and the tendering questionnaire.

Wiltshire Council and NHS Wiltshire wish to express thanks to all stakeholders who have taken part at any stage of the process to date.

In August 2009 a number of organisations expressed an interest in tendering to deliver speech and language therapy in Wiltshire. Tender packs were sent out on 24^th August and the date for submission of tenders is 7^th October

The submitted tenders will be evaluated on a best value basis during October by a panel of Commissioning Officers from the Council and from NHS Wiltshire with expert support from an independent Speech and Language Therapy specialist. There will also be a separate evaluation panel of stakeholders representing, parents/carers, schools, early years settings and health. The provider organisation with the highest overall score taking in to account the 30% price to 70% quality weighting will be awarded the contract.

FURTHER UPDATES

The outcome of the tender process should be announced in early December 2009 following reporting to Wiltshire Council’s cabinet and NHS Wiltshire’s commissioning committee.

A further briefing note on the new provider will be issued during December then more information will follow explaining the key features of the service and the referral process  before the start of the contract on 1^st April 2010.

September 2009