The Provision of a Mental Health Crisis Text Support Service on behalf of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board
- Buyer
- NHS CHESHIRE AND MERSEYSIDE INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
- Value
- £1,400,000
- Closes
- 4 December 2026
- Where
- Warrington, the North West
- Type
- Open tender
In plain English
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside is looking for a provider to run a text-based mental health crisis support service for people of all ages. It would operate around the clock, every day of the year, across Cheshire and Merseyside, and this notice is an early market engagement exercise. The contract is worth up to £1,400,000 ex VAT over a 2-year term with two optional 1-year extensions.
What the buyer wants
• Deliver a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week, 365-day-a-year text-based mental health crisis support service for all ages across Cheshire and Merseyside. • Integrate the service with NHS 111 (Mental Health Option) and local crisis response pathways, including onward referral where needed. • Make support accessible to people who face barriers such as stigma, communication difficulties, disability, sensory needs, or living in rural areas.
Requirements
What could rule a small business out: The notice does not list specific certifications or qualifications, but the round-the-clock delivery, the integration with NHS crisis pathways, and a total value of up to £1.4m over up to four years would most likely rule out most small businesses unless they already run crisis mental health services at this scale or can partner with a provider that does.
Always check the tender documents.
How to bid
This is an open tender: any eligible business can respond directly to the buyer by the deadline, with no framework membership needed.
Where to apply
The notice doesn't name a website for bids. Ask the buyer how to apply, using the contact on the official notice.
Questions about this tender? The official notice gives the buyer's contact.
How to write a tender response
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