Bid Writing for GP Services (APMS)

GP Services Bid Writing Consultants & Their Role

GP services bid writing consultants can play a key role in helping healthcare providers secure contracts, tenders and frameworks within the NHS. Our expertise can significantly increase your chances of winning bids, saving you time and resources while also ensuring bid compliance. Whether you are new to the bidding process or looking to enhance your current strategy and performance, Thornton & Lowe can help.

Effective bid writing in the healthcare sector requires not only skill but also sector knowledge and experience. With a professional bid consultant who has won previous GP Services tenders, frameworks and APMS contracts you will be able to ensure you maximise your chances of success and clearly convey your offerings while adhering to bidding and procurement protocols.

It's also important to stay on top of legislation such as the Procurement Act and the Provider Selection Regime.

GP Services Bid Writing Testimonials

“We have been offered one of the GP Practices! Thank you to you and your team and we hope to work together again in the future.” NHSolutions

“We are extremely happy with the service and Thornton & Lowe’s support has allowed us to grow considerably over the last 4 years, with goals to double in size during the course of 2023/2024 through a number of important NHS tenders."

"I am delighted after all the hard work to achieve these results.... The scores we received for HMP XXX - for all 3 of the lots we won we achieved a score of 88.8 which is amazing. From me personally thank you so much to you and your team for your patience and support regarding these and I look forward to working with you in the future."

Understanding GP Services

General Practice (GP) services play a vital role in the UK's healthcare system. Understanding these services is essential for organisations involved in bidding for healthcare contracts.

General practices are typically the first contact point for patients seeking medical help. They offer a range of services, including consultations, check-ups, and preventative care. Most GP services operate as small to medium-sized businesses, providing care to local communities.

Each practice might focus on unique health needs based on the demographics of their area. Practices often include a team of healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, and administrative staff. This team works together to ensure patients receive comprehensive care and support.

Funding and Commissioning Landscape

The funding of GP services largely comes from NHS budgets, which are influenced by government policies and local health needs. Understanding how funding is allocated can help in tailoring your bids effectively.

Commissioning involves the process by which services are planned and bought. Clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) play a significant role in this process. They assess local health needs and allocate resources accordingly. Being aware of these dynamics is crucial when preparing bids, as aligning your proposals with funding priorities can improve success rates.

APMS Tenders & Contracts

An APMS (Alternative Provider Medical Services) contract is one of the types of contracts that NHS England uses to commission general practice services. It allows a wide range of providers, including commercial companies, to deliver primary medical services in a flexible way. APMS contracts are often used to address gaps in services, especially in areas with a shortage of GPs, by enabling non-traditional providers to step in. This creates an opportunity for commercially focused and entrepreneurial Trusts, GPs and businesses to compete and tender, win and delivery these regional healthcare services contracts.

We have experience of bidding for APMS contracts, Walk in Centres, Urgent Treatment Centres, Out of Hours and NHS 111. We have also worked in other areas such as integrated sexual health, mental health, pathology, and prison healthcare contracts.

APMS & GP Services Bid Writing Support

Winning a bid for Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS) or GP services is not easy. They are an excellent opportunity and therefore competitive. We can help you write a strong bid that stands out and gives you the best chance of success. We do this by:

Bid Planning & Strategy

Create a bidding plan that fits the NHS's goals. We research the local area and understand what the commissioners need and guide you step-by-step to meet all the tender requirements.

Writing & Managing Your Tender Submission

Our expert bid writers will work with you to craft a clear, compliant and high quality bid. We manage the bidding process ensuring the bid has been written, reviewed and completed ready for submission. We highlight your strengths and how you will solve key challenges, working to the procurement instructions and evaluation criteria.

Continuous Improvement, Research & Planning Future Growth

We help you collect useful feedback and use this for future bids. Using Tender Pipeline, and other tools for desktop research, including freedom of information requests, to create a plan, monitor your competition and improve your next bid. We work closely with you to understand your services and strengths. We use proven strategies to ensure your bid is compliant, practical, and stands out to NHS commissioners.

Why Us?

• Proven Success: We’ve helped many organisations win NHS contracts, including APMS and GP services contracts.
• NHS Knowledge: We understand NHS requirements and help you meet them.
• Tailored Approach: We create bids that reflect your specific strengths, the needs of the specific Trust and that of the local area.

Contact Us

Let us help you win your next APMS or GP services tender. Get in touch today for a consultation. Hello@thorntonandlowe.com - 01204 238046

Bid Writing Tips for GP Services Tenders (APMS)

• Adherence to specification and quality standards is key! How can you concisely demonstrate and evidence your low risk solution. Are there clear examples of innovation and exceeding the requirements?
• Showing the depth and expertise of your clinical governance procedures and team. A highly tailored APMS or GP services tender response, which meets the needs of the locality and its specific demographics.
• A considered and specific commitment to Social Value.

GP Services Bid Writing Services: Key Takeaways

• Bid writing consultants can significantly improve your chances of securing NHS contracts.
• Professional bid management support can streamline the complex bidding process.
• Crafting a strong bid which is based around exceeding the specification and drives innovation is key to standing out in a competitive market.

Importance of Effective Bidding

When bidding for GP contracts you need to get it right! A successful bid can secure funding and allow your practice to serve the community effectively.

You must demonstrate your capability to meet local health needs and deliver quality care. This involves highlighting experience, quality service offerings, previous successes and strong clinical governance focused on continuous improvement.

GP Services and APMS Typical Tender Questions

When bidding for a GP Services and APMS tenders, you will be asked specific questions which will be evaluated.

What Does an Excellent GP Services Bid Demonstrate

Exceeds requirements in some major areas. It provides answers which are clear, relevant and detailed. The bid response that addresses all of the question and provides the evaluator with confidence that the service will be provided to an excellent standard. It demonstrates in detail how all of the relevant requirements of the service will be met with a high standard of evidence to support.

Tender Questions and Sections to Prepare for Your GP Services Bid Writing

• Provide a proposal detailing how you will meet the service specification, including managing performance, continuous improvements & KPIs
• Detail the quality standards that underpin your organisation, including evidence of regulatory inspections and compliance
• Explain how you will engage with XXX, partners across the local health system, and other stakeholders. Neighbourhood and partnership working
• Detail how you will provide Clinical Governance from a medical and ACP (Advanced Clinical Practitioners) / ANP (Advanced Nurse Practitioner) perspective
• Describe your organisation's ethos and social value approach that makes you the right provider to deliver this service
• Mobilisation and Implementation of the service and associated governance arrangements
• Clinical Governance policies and procedures
• CQC Compliance
• Capability & capacity. Org structure including recruitment and retention, workforce supervision and training
• Equity of service and equality 
• Patient experience, patient involvement and engagement, including accessibility.
• Health promotion and disease prevention 
• Medicines optimisation
• Referrals 
• Business continuity.

The Role of Bid Writing Consultants

Beyond bid writing services, managing GP services, APMS and wider health and social care tenders, how can bid management consultancies help?

Bid Writing Courses, Training and Capacity Building

Apart from crafting bids, consultants play a key role in training your team in how to bid. They can provide workshops on best practices in bid writing, ensuring your staff develop the skills needed for future framework and tender submissions.

By developing your in-house capabilities, bid consultants help build a culture of successful tendering and bid management. Your team becomes better equipped to produce high-quality bids independently. This investment in training can yield long-term benefits, making your organisation more self-sufficient in securing contracts.

Engaging professionals like those from Thornton & Lowe can help you tap into this wealth of knowledge, ultimately leading to greater success in healthcare tenders.

Competitor Analysis and Market Research

Thornton & Lowe provide comprehensive Competitor Analysis and Market Research to help businesses stay ahead. We identify key competitors, analyse their strengths, weaknesses, and strategies, and highlight what differentiates you. Our insights give you a clear understanding of the GP services market landscape and who is winning tenders, allowing you to refine your approach, improve offerings, find partners and make informed decisions that boost your competitive edge.

We also share best practice from working across other healthcare sectors, such as dental tenders.

Writing a Winning GP Services Tender Submission

Creating a successful bid requires attention to detail and understanding the specific requirements of the project. Focusing on the brief and providing clear, evidence-backed propositions enhances your chances of success.

Analysing the Brief

Start by thoroughly analysing the tender brief. This means identifying the specific requirements and understanding what the organisation seeks. Break down the brief into manageable parts, noting key phrases, goals, and evaluation criteria.

Create a checklist of the essential elements mentioned in the brief. This helps ensure that you address all requirements. Pay attention to deadlines and submission guidelines, as failing to follow these can disqualify your bid.

Additionally, consider the context around the tender. Research the organisation, their previous contracts, and any current challenges they face. This information will help tailor your bid to align with their needs.

Developing a Clear Value Proposition

Your value proposition should clearly outline why your services are the best choice. Focus on what sets you apart from competitors. Highlight your unique skills, experience, and any specialised knowledge that relates to the project.

Use specific examples to illustrate your past successes. This could include metrics such as improved patient outcomes or cost efficiencies. Presenting data-backed results strengthens your case.

Keep your language simple and direct. Avoid jargon that may confuse the reader. Clearly express how your services will meet the needs of the organisation while providing added benefits.

Risk Management and Mitigation

Address potential risks in your bid. Identify challenges that may arise during the project and how you plan to manage them. Being proactive about risk management shows your capability and foresight.

Create a risk register that includes:

• Type of Risk: Describe the potential issue.
• Impact: Explain the possible effects on the project.
• Mitigation Strategies: Outline how you intend to handle each risk.

This structured approach demonstrates that you are prepared for the unexpected. It instills confidence in your ability to deliver despite challenges.

Evidence-Based Outcomes

Support your claims with evidence-based outcomes. This could include statistics, case studies, or testimonials from previous clients. Use this data to paint a clear picture of your success.

Incorporate charts or tables to present your results visually. This enhances understanding and showcases your achievements effectively.

Make sure your evidence relates directly to the bid. If applicable, include outcomes from similar projects or services. This relevance adds weight to your submission and illustrates your capacity to deliver the desired results.

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