Dental Access Centre - NHS Gloucestershire ICB

Descriptions

NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (GICB) is seeking providers who have the capability and capacity to deliver Dental Services (MDS) in Gloucester.

Fundamentally this opportunity seeks to increase access to NHS dentistry in a part of the county where deprivation is greatest by working in partnership to commission a new bespoke primary care Dental Access Centre facility in a fit for purpose environment.

GICB's vision for this service is to increase primary care dental access in a Core20 area and begin to address oral health inequalities. This service will provide urgent care and stabilisation, as well as offering routine treatment to a cohort of patients who are both poorly catered for under the existing high street model, and who are disproportionately affected with oral pain and diseases, which negatively affects their health and wellbeing.

• The contract will be a Personal Dental Services (PDS) contract to deliver a Dental Access Centre in Gloucester. Premises are located at 1st Floor, Quayside House, Quayside Street, Gloucester, GL1 2TZ

• The premises are mandated and owned and leased by Gloucestershire County Council (GCC). The successful provider will need to secure a lease with GCC for the duration of the PDS contract term.

• A draft Heads of Terms is included in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) pack which sets out the expected terms and conditions between the owner of the building and the service provider.

• Construction work will be undertaken on behalf of GCC, and floor plans and room data sheets are included in the ITT pack to inform potential bidders about the premises and what is provided as part of the building fit out.

• The successful provider will need to provide any additional fit out and equipment to deliver the services. It will also be expected to fund associated recurrent revenue costs, for example servicing and maintenance; rent and rates; cleaning and lighting.

• The premises will have space for up to 7 dental chairs.

• There is an expectation that the provider is or becomes a postgraduate training practice and hosts foundation dentists.

• Funding for hosting foundation dentists is awarded and administered by NHS Workforce Training and Education (NHS WTE) and the successful provider will be expected to apply to NHS WTE for funding.

• The PDS contract term will be for an initial term of 10 years, with an option to extend for any period up to a further 5 years, and then for a further 5 years, at the sole discretion of the Commissioner.

• Rental payment and services are currently scheduled to commence on 1st July 2026.

• Service must commence no later than 6 months after contract award (scheduled for early January 2026), unless there is an agreement with the Commissioner to extend the mobilisation period.

• The contract term and service payments will start on the service commencement date.

• The Commissioner has a maximum financial envelope available of £1,200,000 per annum. The total maximum contract value for the duration excluding extensions is £12,000,000, and £24,000,000 including extensions.

• The successful provider will need to deliver urgent care, stabilisation and routine care as part of the contract.

• Following discussion and agreement with the commissioner, the successful provider may offer private treatment from the same premises however this must not be at the detriment of NHS patients or the provider's delivery of the PDS contract.

• TUPE will not be applicable for this procurement process.

This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.