Shared Care Scheme

Tender description

North Somerset Council would like to invite primary care providers based in North Somerset to quote for the responsibility of prescribing opiate substitution medication (i.e. methadone or buprenorphine) as part of the North Somerset Shared Care Scheme. The successful bidder will produce opiate substitution prescriptions on behalf of those North Somerset GP practices willing to provide access (via a digital platform) to the medical records of relevant patients. The number of willing practices is expected to be 21. The Provider will be supported by and work in partnership with the North Somerset Substance Misuse Service (the specialist treatment service). The specialist treatment service will undertake all the relevant face-to-face activity with patients/service users and will recommend/guide the Provider in relation to the prescribing of opiate substitution medication. The Provider will be responsible for: generating opiate substitution prescriptions (methadone or buprenorphine), ensuring these prescriptions arrive at the relevant pharmacies, updating patient records in relation to this prescribing activity, and conducting reviews using patient medical records of this medication (face-to-face reviews will be conducted by the specialist treatment service). It is important to note that this activity relates only to individuals/patients engaged in the North Somerset Shared Care Scheme. This contract is for 36 months with an available extension up to 24 months. the contract start date is 1 April 2019. Keywords: shared care, prescriptions, opiate