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

North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust is awarding a contract for specialized psychiatric intensive care services for an individual patient requiring acute mental health treatment. This is a direct award under the Healthcare Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, based on spot purchasing analysis confirming limited provider availability. The service includes daily clinical assessment and treatment in a Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), which provides specialist inpatient care for individuals experiencing acute episodes of serious mental disorders. Contract details: £1,022 per day for an initial 4-week period (estimated total cost £28,616 from 24 June 2026), with weekday clinical reviews and repatriation to local services when clinically appropriate. This is a continuation of previous spot purchasing arrangements now being placed directly by the Trust rather than through the Integrated Care Board (ICB). The contract duration may be extended depending on the patient's clinical needs and progress.