Health services

Tender description

NHS Arden & GEM CSU on behalf of NHS Dudley CCG invited suitably qualified providers to tender for an ophthalmology service. The intention was that this service will be commissioned using the any qualified provider process /model. The service consists of 3 elements: minor eye conditions service, cataract triage /screening, and intraocular pressure repeat readings scheme. The service consists of 3 elements: minor eye conditions service - To provide assessment, treatment and management of patients presenting with recent onset eye conditions which may include: — painful eye, — red eye, — flashers /floaters, — loss or disturbance of vision, — foreign body, including emergency contact lenses removal. Providers will be expected to triage patients and for symptoms which require urgent attention, providers will be expected to see the patient within 24 hours of contacting the service. For non-urgent symptoms providers will be expected to offer an appointment within 2 working days. Cataract triage /screening: to provide assessment and management of patients presenting with signs and /or symptoms of cataract in either eye. The provider will be expected to undertake a full cataract assessment including: — pupil dilation and examination by indirect ophthalmoscopy in order to establish whether there are any co-existing ocular disorders as well as cataract, — discussion of the health questionnaire and any outstanding issues dealt with, — communicating the potential advantages and disadvantages of cataract extraction, — ascertaining the patient's willingness for surgery, — ensuring the patient meets the procedures of limited clinical policy criteria, — offer choice and refer on to secondary care where required. Intraocular pressure repeat readings scheme: to provide assessment and management of patients who attend the practice for a GOS or private sight test and are found to have IOP> 21mmHg. Patients who are found to have elevated IOP on non-contact tonometry testing are expected to have Goldman or Perkins applanation tonometry pressure refinement carried out at the same visit. Depending on the outcome of the 1st test the patient may be required to attend for repeat Goldmann or Perkins applanation tonometry on a separate occasion. Suitable providers must be able to deliver all elements described above.