Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Placement - Out of Area Service

North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust is awarding a contract for specialized psychiatric intensive care services for a named patient requiring acute mental health treatment. This is a direct award under the Healthcare Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, following spot purchasing analysis that determined this provider as the only available option. The Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit provides specialist inpatient care, assessment, and comprehensive treatment for individuals experiencing acute episodes of serious mental health disorders. Key contract details: Rate of £1,035 per day; Initial period of 4 weeks (duration subject to clinical review); Estimated total cost of £28,980; Service start date 13 July 2026; Patient review scheduled Monday-Friday with repatriation when clinically appropriate. The Trust previously utilized spot purchasing arrangements through the ICB for this service and is now placing the contract directly. While this is a new direct award contract, it represents a continuation of established care arrangements. The Trust has a choice of providers and is not restricting the number of potential service providers.