Provision of Community Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Service

Tender description

NHS Ipswich and East Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group are publishing this notice on behalf of the seven CCGs which cover the counties of Suffolk and Norfolk. The CCGs currently commission a community based GP with Special Interest (GPwSI) and Occupational Therapy based service that sees patients with mild to moderate ME and CFS. The CCGs are interested in transforming this into a consultant led model consistent with the current international consensus evidence base for ME and CFS. The CCGs are seeking to understand if there are providers who could and would be interested in delivering these services in a range of locations across Norfolk and Suffolk. The aim of the service will be to improve outcomes (particularly for those with severe ME), increase ongoing support and provide a more holistic multi-disciplinary team approach to care. The total annual budget for the community element is anticipated to be in the region of 500,000 GBP. The service will be required to triage referrals, diagnose for ME or CFS, and agree management plans with patients which may be long term specialist follow up, OT led management or short or group intervention. In addition, the service would be expected to provide advice to referrers and offer training to increase awareness of ME and CFS and to up-skill referrers. The purpose of this notice is to invite providers to contact Ipswich & East Suffolk CCG if they are potentially interested in delivering the required services. This PIN is not commencing a procurement process; any future procurement activity in relation to the services that are the subject of this PIN may be the subject of a separate notice. The Ipswich and East Suffolk CCG is not liable for any costs incurred by those expressing an interest in this process. To express an interest and receive a copy of the outline service specification please email the named contact in this advert by 12:00 24/04/2017.