The process to find a new care provider for Furlong Close starts from today (5 July) as care providers are invited to bid for the contract.
Conservative led Wiltshire Council is asking families and friends of residents at Furlong Close to be involved as it goes out to tender for delivery of services for the future. The intention is to award a new contract later this year.
In February 2021, Hft gave notice on all its contracts in Wiltshire with them ending on 19 May 2021. The council has worked with Hft to ensure care continues for residents while the process to find a new care provider is carried out. Wiltshire Council currently has 20 residents living at Furlong Close with 13 others from 12 other local authorities.
In March 2021, Wiltshire Council started a tender process under the Good Lives Alliance (this is the local framework in place for Learning Disabilities and Mental Health providers).
There was interest in the market from providers, however the council chose to end the procurement as it had additional information regarding the site which included costs and terms of the lease, TUPE information and indicative costs of care provision. This is legally known as abandoning the procurement due to a change in economic and factual circumstances.
Having considered the relevant circumstances, the council considered a new procurement exercise would be expedient and in the public interest. The tender will go out on the open market and will not be restricted to those providers involved in the Good Lives Alliance. Family representatives will continue to work closely with the council during the whole process and will help interview shortlisted tenderers as part of the evaluation.
Conservative Cllr Jane Davies, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said:
I am pleased we are now moving onto this latest stage which I know families and friends will welcome. We have been in regular contact with families and friends and it is important their views are represented in this process and we look forward to working with them as the future of the site is determined.
