People have 13 weeks to have a say on how older people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are cared for.

A public consultation into proposals by four groups bidding to run the health and social care for adults and older people in the county starts today (March 17). It will be a chance to comment on the detail of four shortlisted bids from consortia competing to win an NHS contract reportedly worth between £700million and £1.1billion.

The consortia to make it through to this latest stage were narrowed down from five to four last week by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which is in charge of the process.

They are:

?Accord Health (Interserve with Provide, formerly Central Essex Community Services, and North Essex Partnership Foundation Trust as mental health lead).

?Care for Life (Care UK with Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust, and Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust)

?Uniting Care Partnership (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust with Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust).

?Virgin Care Ltd.

The fifth bidder to miss out, Optum, included the Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust, which already delivers a number of services across the county.

People will be asked for their opinions on initial proposals put forward by the remaining four.

More than 50,000 copies of the consultation document will be distributed and more than 25 public meetings are being arranged.

Clinical lead for CCG’s Older People’s Programme Dr Arnold Fertig said: “We want views on the initial proposals, so shortlisted bidders can take them into account as they put together their more detailed proposals.

“Whether you are older or approaching older age yourself, someone with a long-term condition, their carer or relative, or whether you’re a fellow GP or other health professional, we want to know what you think.

“Whoever is awarded the NHS-contract ... care will remain NHS-funded, provided under an NHS contract and free at the point of delivery.”

INFORMATION: Visit www.cambridgeshireandpeterboroughccg.nhs.uk or call 01223 725304 for a leaflet. Alternatively, email engagement@cambridgeshireandpeterboroughccg.nhs.uk.