Question 1. With regards to references we have various contracts with private companies but have provided one teaching service for the NHS. This was for Brent PCT. Can we use the latter as the NHS (public sector reference) or will this be deemed a conflict of interest to the tendering process? Will a reference list not including a public sector reference be an issue to the tender being accepted? Answer. Three relevant References should be provided for Physiotherapy or Musculoskeletal Services. Where possible at least one reference should be from the public sector. NHS Brent will verify that References are independent and impartial.

Question 2. As primarily a private business we have not needed interpreter services as the family comes with the patients. Is the cost of interpreters from Services like GRIP to be included in the activity price by us the provider or will it be paid for by the GPs Answer. The cost of interpreters should not be included in the activity price. Your Service Proposal should include how you will communicate with patients whose first language is not English.

Question 3. Within the Bank managers reference what information do you need? Is it primarily a letter saying we have an account (as the 2 year company financial records should indicate financial standing)? Does it need to be the bank manager or will Personal Business manager references suffice as primarily work with one person on company banking issues?  Answer. The written reference should be from the Company Bank Manager or Manager who manages the account used by the Business. The reference should encompass the Annex D – item 7.2 to 7.7

Question 4. Should it be taken that the activity price of £20-33 relates to the individual treatment / assessment sessions and is not the price for all 4 treatments i.e. 4 treatments would be between £80-£132. Answer. The Activity price is per activity of individual treatment and is not the price for all 4 treatments.

Question 5. Cost per activity or session- page 16 of Services specification Tender A It is not clear if the activity costing range given relates to the specific 40/20 minute sessions, a package of 60mins or some other combination? (There is also a contradiction in the time of the initial appointment in tender A- is it 20 or 40minutes?) As sessions could include acupuncture, mobilisation, exercises and ultrasound these activities would normally have greatly differing cost and time durations. Answer. The price per activity is per session. The initial appointment is a double session consisting of a minimum 20minute assessment, followed by a minimum 20 minute treatment (minimum 40 minutes in total). The Provider may choose to provide treatment sessions greater than 20minutes. NHS Brent and the Kilburn PBC require a rate per session for the Services set out in Tender A and a rate per session for the Services set out in Tender B.

Question 6. Tender A & Tender B- sections 5.2 Treatment To cover all treatment modalities would require grade 7 staff with specialist training- is the intention that no lower grade specialist staff be utilised? Answer. The Provider is responsible for deciding the level of resources required to deliver the Services in compliance with the Tender Requirements

Question 7. Memorandum of Information-Annex B- Services Specification, tender A- section 1- Introduction It is not clear what services can be removed from the Bid without submitting a non-compliant response. Can this be clarified? Answer. NHS Brent requires all the Services set out in: Tender A – Musculoskeletal Services for Adults and Paediatrics (8+) Tender B – Women’s Health conditions Community based Services Providers may choose to bid for the Services set out in Tender A and Tender B, Tender A only or Tender B only.