FOI 2026/1725

I am writing to make a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in relation to the Military Veterans Service (MVS) delivered by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, which I understand to be commissioned by Integrated Care Boards including Greater Manchester ICB.

I have noted from the Trust’s website that the MVS is listed as a separate service from OpCourage, which is nationally commissioned by NHS England. I have also noted that the Trust’s website states that all referrals to the MVS are now made via OpCourage. I would be grateful if you could provide the following information:

a) Please confirm whether GM ICB currently commissions the Military Veterans Service delivered by Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust. If so, please provide details of the current contract or service agreement, including its term and value.

b) Has the ICB been notified of, consulted about, or asked to approve any changes to the management, leadership, or operational arrangements for the MVS in the past 18 months? If so, please provide copies of any correspondence, notifications, or approvals relating to such changes.

c) Has the ICB received any request from Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust for a formal contract variation in relation to the MVS in the past 18 months? If so, please provide copies.

d) Is the ICB aware that the Trust’s website states that all referrals to the MVS are now made via OpCourage, a service commissioned separately by NHS England? Was the ICB consulted about or asked to approve this referral arrangement? If so, please provide copies of any relevant correspondence or approvals.

e) Has the ICB received a Quality Impact Assessment or Equality Impact Assessment from Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust in relation to any changes to the MVS in the past 18 months? If so, please provide copies.

f) When did the ICB last conduct a formal contract review or performance review of the MVS with Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust? Please provide copies of the minutes, reports or notes from the most recent such review.

I would prefer to receive this information electronically, by email where possible.

If you consider that any of the requested information is exempt from disclosure, I would ask that you provide a full explanation of the exemption(s) relied upon and, where applicable, the public interest considerations.

Should you require any clarification regarding this request, please do not hesitate to contact me.

a).  NHS Greater Manchester ICB (NHS GM) currently commissions the Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust (PCFT) MVS service. As this is part of a block contract, it is not possible to give specific funding envelopes.

b). NHS GM confirms that it has been verbally informed of changes relating to the management, leadership, or operational arrangements for the MVS within the past 18 months.

However, NHS GM does not hold any recorded information in relation to these notifications. Specifically, no written correspondence, formal notifications, or documented approvals are held.

c).  NHS GM confirms that it has not received any request from Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust for a formal contract variation in relation to the MVS within the past 18 months.

d).  NHS GM confirms that it is aware that the Trust’s website states that referrals to the MVS are made via OpCourage, a service commissioned by NHS England.

In relation to consultation or approval of this referral arrangement, NHS GM has conducted reasonable searches and has not identified any recorded information confirming that it was formally consulted or asked to approve this arrangement.

NHS GM notes that the previous contract manager responsible for this area is no longer employed by the organisation; however, this does not alter the position that no recorded information is held.

Accordingly, NHS GM does not hold any recorded correspondence or documented approvals relevant to this part of the request.

e). NHS GM confirms that it has not received a Quality Impact Assessment or Equality Impact Assessment from Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust in relation to any changes to the MVS within the past 18 months.

f).  NHS GM confirms that a review of the MVS with Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust was undertaken in February.

However, NHS GM does not hold any recorded minutes, reports, or notes of this review in documented form.