Queensland Health is aiming to partner with the non-government sector through a proposed Standing Offer Arrangement (SOA) as part of a proof of concept initiative. The strategy is designed to assist with the treatment, rehabilitation and recovery of mental health patients. It will primarily encompass the provision of a range of specialty eHealth GPS safety devices and technologies, which will aid mental health patients during periods of short or extended leave from a mental health facility, as well as patients residing in the community.

These devices will be used to initially support a sample number of selected patients to transition from care at a mental health facility back into their normal productive lives. Depending on the patient’s preference, the technology would be incorporated into their mental health care plan, which will:

* Help them to establish routines for medication management to minimise the occurrence of missed treatment schedules
* Remind them to attend regular check-ups
* Assist to locate them if their whereabouts were to become unknown, and there were concerns about their health and safety
* Give their personal and professional carers reassurance by providing access to vital information about the patent and their wellbeing.

Features may include attributes such as wearable technology, two-way communication, messaging, fall detection alerts, real-time wandering prevention and location monitoring, emergency panic alerts and alarms, long battery life, waterproof, etc.

As the viability of wearable technology increases in functionality and cost effectiveness, it has become apparent that a number of devices are now being tailored to suit the requirements of mental health patients. As a result, Queensland Health is now seeking expressions of interest from the market in the provision of eHealth GPS devices and associated technology through this Request for Expression of Interest (REOI) approach.

The information received from the REOI process will be used by Queensland Health to:

* Determine whether the range of options available in the market will be fit-for-purpose
* Gauge market ability to address the needs of Queensland Health, including commercially innovative outcomes and delivering value for money
* Gain a better understanding of the suitability for use within the scope of service
* Ascertain how the technology can be integrated into patients’ care plans
* Refine the specification in preparation of commencing with a formal tender process.

NOTE: REOI responses must be submitted via 360Pro. Further details are contained in the attached document.

Refer https://360providers.apetsoftware.com.au/Public/qldhcu/PublicJobs.aspx