Health services

Tender description

This notice is to inform the market that Commissioners are entering into a procurement process for the provision of Tier 3 Community Dermatology across NHS North Staffordshire, NHS Stoke on Trent, NHS Stafford and Surrounds, NHS Cannock Chase and NHS South East Staffordshire and Seisdon Peninsular CCGs. The Tier 3 Community Dermatology service will include a multi-disciplinary, ‘one stop shop’ consultant-led service, whereby patients shall be seen by a Consultant, Dermatology Registrar, GP with Special Interest or specialist nurse, and where appropriate shall be assessed and treated in the same appointment, thus avoiding a referral to secondary care. The provider shall offer clinical triage, assessment, diagnostic biopsy, and treatment for the conditions listed under (II.2.4). The service shall ensure that all treatments comply with the latest version of the CCGs’ Excluded and Restricted Procedures Policy. This notice is to inform the market that Commissioners are entering into a procurement process for the provision of Tier 3 Community Dermatology across NHS North Staffordshire, NHS Stoke-on-Trent, NHS Stafford and Surrounds, NHS Cannock Chase and NHS South East Staffordshire and Seisdon Peninsular CCGs. The Tier 3 Community Dermatology service will include a multi-disciplinary, ‘one stop shop’ consultant-led service, whereby patients shall be seen by a Consultant, Dermatology Registrar, GP with Special Interest or specialist nurse, and where appropriate shall be assessed and treated in the same appointment, thus avoiding a referral to secondary care. The provider shall offer clinical triage, assessment, diagnostic biopsy, and treatment for the conditions listed below. The service shall ensure that all treatments comply with the latest version of the CCGs’ Excluded and Restricted Procedures Policy and where necessary use the individual funding request process for any none standard treatment for unique cases. • rashes of diagnostic uncertainty (where no concerns of malignancy exist); • inflammatory disorders not responding to GP treatment, e.g. lichen planus; • moderate acne (where treatment has been unsuccessful in general practice); • moderate psoriasis for treatment principally with topical therapies; • moderate eczema for treatment principally with topical therapies and supervision by nurses/health visitors; • other moderate inflammatory dermatoses that are poorly controlled despite treatment from the GP; • non-scarring localised alopecia; • keloid scars (excludes surgery); • urticaria; • solar lentigo; • benign naevi (for diagnosis as removal non commissioned for cosmetic purposes); • non-scarring nail dystrophy; • bowens disease (for diagnostic purposes as should be managed by GP); • benign lesions (excludes surgery); • symptomatic lesions such as: • pyogenic granulomata; • dermatofibromata; • patients referred from secondary care for follow up; • high risk basal cell carcinoma referred into secondary care as routine referral not 2 week wait; • indication for the systemic therapy in the treatment of psoriasis/eczema based on past or current diagnosis/treatment; • complex paediatric dermatology; • rash with systemic upset; • alopecia that is any of: • diffuse; • has significant scarring; • dermatological conditions of the genitalia; • under the age of 16 years requiring a surgical procedure under GA; • phototherapy. The provider shall provide the following diagnostic services and interventions: • blood sampling; • punch biopsy; • shave biopsy; • skin surgery; • cryotherapy; • oral and topical treatments; • DMARDs; • biologics. The Provider shall have access to the following: • phlebotomy; • haematology; • histopathology; • biochemistry; • immunology; • blood sampling. In addition the service may offer a range of specialist nurse led care including: • camouflage; • dithranol treatments; • a range of dressings to support the treatment and management of appropriate skin conditions. For any patient that requires further intervention through to secondary care, the service will need to work closely with local partner organisations to ensure a swift, coordinated pathway is followed and that all service users are transferred to the appropriate specialty with all relevant transfer documentation. This in turn will ensure reduction of delays in overall pathway of care, ensuring service user experience is at the heart of all care. There is a requirement that the service will be provided within community locations throughout the Staffordshire localities allowing patient choice closer to home. The CCGs are looking to award the contract for a period of 3 years with a possible 2 Years extension available. All successful providers will be expected to deliver the service under the NHS Standard Full Length Contract.