GP at Hand Independent Evaluation on behalf of NHS Hammersmith & Fulham CCG

Tender description

NHS Hammersmith and Fulham Clinical Commissioning Group together with their partners, NHS England (London Region) and NHS England, invite competitive tenders for suitably experienced and qualified to undertake an independent evaluation of an innovative patient service involving the use of new communication technologies, this being the "GP at Hand" service. The GP at Hand service is an innovative approach to offering digital-first primary care, currently based within a Hammersmith and Fulham (H&F) GP practice, but offering care to patients across London (and ultimately across England). GP at Hand is the name of a GMS contract-holding general practice providing Primary Medical Services under the GMS Regulations 2015 in North West London, previously known as Dr Jeffries and Partners. They are now offering an innovative, 'digital-first' model of primary care, primarily through use of a mobile app and video consultations provided by their subcontractor, Babylon Health. The app enables patients to access GP services 24/7, at short notice, via a virtual appointment using video conferencing and voice calls on a smartphone. Patients can also access symptom-checker services (driven by Babylon's Artificial Intelligence tool) and health monitoring software. If patients need a face-to-face appointment they can access in-person services in one of GP at Hand's six London-based sites. All patients accessing the service de-register from their previous NHS practice, and register with GP at Hand. The service takes advantage of the National GP Choice policy to allow patients from across London to register with the service, with plans to expand the service nationwide. There are some limitations put on registrations from people with more complex care needs, who might need greater continuity of care, and more face-to-face support - with NHS England's clinical review recommending that those individuals seek advice before registering. NHS Hammersmith and Fulham CCG, as the Contracting Authority would like to encourage all types of organisations to bid for this service including lead bidders and consortiums that are able and qualified to deliver a service such as this, which is hoped will pull together an appropriate mix of expertise to undertake the evaluation. The duration of this contract is expected to be for 12 months. It is intended that this time-limited service will commence by 1 June 2018.