Awarded without open competition
Awarded without open competition. The buyer went directly to one or a few suppliers instead of advertising the contract. Procurement rules allow this only in specific cases, such as extreme urgency, when only one supplier can do the work, or for call-offs from an existing framework.
Key facts
- Buyer
- NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board · Regional or local authority
- Supplier
- Stellar Healthcare Limited SME
- Value
- £976,304
- Procedure
- Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
- Sector
- Health & social care · Health services (CPV 85100000)
- Region
- East of England
- Official notice
- 024083-2026 on Find a Tender
- Timeline
-
- Contract date17 Mar 2026
- Published17 Mar 2026Published the same day
Description
The Rheumatology GP with Special Interest (GPSI) Service provides timely, equitable, community-based assessment and management of rheumatology and related musculoskeletal conditions for adults registered with West Essex GP practices. It responds to high demand for MSK care and aims to improve access, experience and outcomes by offering patients appointments closer to home and by supporting self-management and shared decision-making through agreed care plans and goal setting.<br/><br/>Key aims are to reduce waits, improve quality of life (including pain management and ability to work), provide safe evidence-based care aligned to NICE and other standards, and reduce demand and cost pressures on acute services by treating appropriate patients in the community. It also supports system integration, including agreed pathways with The Princess Alexandra Hospital for stable rheumatoid arthritis follow-up and clear routes for rapid consultant re-access when needed.<br/><br/>The current provide…
About the supplier
Stellar Healthcare Limited: every public contract they have won, plus their Companies House record (company 08917983).