SOUTH EAST WALES UNIT HAEMODIALYSIS

The Contracting Authority is seeking to procure a fully managed adult in-unit haemodialysis service across the South East Wales region. The service forms part of the Welsh Kidney Network’s commissioned Kidney Replacement Therapy services and supports adults with End Stage Kidney Disease who require unit-based haemodialysis treatment. Unit haemodialysis services are delivered through a long-established hub and satellite model, with clinical hub services provided from NHS kidney centres and satellite dialysis units located in community-based settings. This model has operated successfully in South East Wales for over 15 years and enables patients to access dialysis treatment closer to home. The current service operates across six haemodialysis units located at: Cardiff North, Cardiff South, Pontypool, Newport, Llantrisant, Merthyr Tydfil. Across the region, the service provides capacity for up to 596 in-unit haemodialysis patients. The scope of the contract includes the provision, operation and maintenance of dialysis facilities and estates, haemodialysis equipment, consumables and the haemodialysis workforce (excluding consultant medical staff). The successful bidder will be required to deliver a safe, resilient and patient-centred service, maintain sufficient capacity to meet current demand, and enable patients to access dialysis treatment as close to home as reasonably possible. The service must also be capable of flexing capacity over the life of the contract to respond to changes in patient demand and support wider strategic objectives, including home dialysis and transplant-first approaches. Contract performance will be managed through agreed governance arrangements, key performance indicators and reporting requirements. The proposed contract will be awarded for an initial term of seven (7) years, with the option to extend for up to a further three (3) years at the sole discretion of the Contracting Authority. Mobilisation of the new service is expected to align with the expiry of the current arrangements in July 2027.