NHS England has opened a procurement programme worth up to £25 million to develop a National Digital Tobacco Treatment Service Framework.
The programme aims to provide adult smokers (aged 18 years and older) in England access to one or more digital tobacco dependency applications.
It aims to support existing treatment services where possible, and provide wider options and support for 5.6 million adults in England that are smokers, NHS England stated.
The opportunity notice highlighted that the “core offer of the digital service will be free at the point of access” to provide users with digital apps or web platforms that provide behavioural and motivational support. The notice goes on to add that any services that provide access to live tobacco dependency support advisors will need to meet the training standards defined by the National Centre for smoking Cessation and Training (NCSCT).
Initially the programme will be piloted on a small scale, with a research programme measuring the evidence formed, ahead of wider roll-out.
The programme aims to launch in February 2024, initially for a three-year term, with an option to extend for a further year. To find out more, view the notice here.
This month has seen a number of procurements and frameworks launched, with Warrington and Halton NHS opening a patient engagement portal tender opportunity and NHS SBS announcing a prior information notice for a £150m voice recognition software tender.
Meanwhile, NHS England published a £35 million tender for privacy enhancing tech and University of Strathclyde, NSS and Scotland Excel launched a £15m tender for digital co-managed care services.
