The purpose of the report is to request approval from Adult Social Care and Public Health Committee to recommission the Wirral Independence Service (WIS) within quarter 2 of financial year 2023/2024. The current contract ends in June 2024 and there are no further contract extensions available.

This is a joint commission with NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board (Wirral Place) (NHSCMICB) and is managed via the

Better Care Fund.

The WIS is inclusive of:

·  The provision of Community Equipment.

·  Technology Enabled Care and Response service.

·  Carers emergency card.

·  Falls Pick up service.

·  Falls prevention service.

·  Provision of Paediatric equipment.

·  Education equipment for schools.

The commission will support the following Wirral Plan objectives:

·  Sustainable Environment - working towards a clean-energy, sustainable borough that leads the way in its response to the climate emergency and is environmentally friendly.

·  Inclusive Economy - working for a prosperous, inclusive economy - helping businesses to thrive and creating jobs and opportunities for all.

·  Safe and Vibrant Communities - working for safe and vibrant communities where our residents feel safe and are proud to live and raise their families.

·  Active and Healthy Lives - working to provide happy, active and healthy lives for all, with the right care, at the right time to enable residents to live longer and healthier lives

Resolved – that,

1.  The re-commission of the Wirral Independence Service on a 5-year contract (with options for a 3-year, plus a 2-year contract extension) with a total contract value of £4.2m annually, up to £42m over 10-years be approved.

2.  The director of Adult Social Care and Health be authorised to award the contract to the most economically advantageous tenderer.

The Wirral Health and Care system must ensure that it has a fully operational and responsive community equipment and technology enabled care (TEC) service to meet local needs to meet its statutory duties.

The use of TEC forms a key part of the Councils approach to digital care and early intervention and prevention services.

The Council has a duty to ensure value for money and to tender will ensure that best value is sought.

A longer contract length of up to 10 years, will support the successful tenderer to invest in local infrastructure and support social value

To not tender the service, would mean that the Council would not meet its statutory duty to provide community equipment.

To not proceed as a joint commission, would mean that procurement activity would be duplicated across the Wirral Health and Care system and not be efficient.