Health services

Tender description

The CCGs are currently developing their service specification, contracting process and commercial model for the direct access non-obstetric ultrasound service (NOUS) and intend to commence a procurement process to award renewed contract(s) to provide the service from 1.10.2020. The new service will be for a period of 3 years, with the option to extend for a further 2 years at the CCG’s discretion. The estimated costs associated with provision of this service (based on 5 years) are 30 000 000 GBP. This notice intends to facilitate early engagement, to seek the views and opinions of potential providers that may be interested in delivering the service and relates only to a pre-procurement market engagement questionnaire (MEQ). Participation is not a mandatory requirement for participating in any potential future procurement, however the responses will indicate the level of market interest. Confirmation of your expression of interest is therefore important. This notice intends to facilitate early engagement with potential providers to seek the views and opinions of organisations that may be interested in delivering the direct access non-obstetric ultrasound service (NOUS) and relates only to a pre-procurement market engagement questionnaire (MEQ). The CCGs, are currently developing their service Specification, contracting process and commercial model for the NOUS and intend to commence a procurement process to award renewed contracts to provide the service from 1.10.2020. The CCGs are considering what the contracting process will be for the service, which may differ from the current any qualified provider (AQP) contracting form. The new service will be for a period of 3 years, with the option to extend for a further 2 years at the CCG’s discretion. The estimated costs associated with provision of this service (based on 5 years) are 30 000 000 GBP. This service is designed to meet the needs of the CCG's registered populations, ensuring that patients can access the right level of care, in the right setting. The service will aid early diagnostics and avoid the need for unnecessary referral to secondary care. It will ensure a local service, with staff qualified to appropriate levels of skill and experience, using equipment which complies with the most up-to-date guidance set by the Royal College of Radiologists, connection to NHS image transfer solutions, the ability to integrate with the eReferral service, robust performance management systems and stringent levels of clinical governance. Delivery of the NOUS will: — ensure patients receive the right test at the right time and in the most clinically appropriate local setting, — ensure diagnostic testing is integrated across pathways of care, that the report and images follow the patient and that there is no unnecessary duplication of investigation, — enable patients and referring clinicians to access a choice of provision according to patient choice, clinical need and relevant care pathway, — ensure diagnostic tests are necessary, clinically appropriate, of high-quality, with timely access and high-quality images and clear reporting, — provide a high-quality and safe service by following the published clinical guidelines and good practice, — ensure excellent patient experience, — develop local service provision as part of a diagnostic commissioning plan which aims to improve access and choice for patients. More detail on the proposed service and model can be found in the draft service specification. The purpose of this notice is to inform the market of the CCGs intention to renew the contracts for the NOUS service and to invite potential providers who may be interested in delivering this service, either in their own right or as a subcontractor, to assist the CCGs to achieve a better understanding of the provider market, to inform the way forward in terms of the contracting model, draft service specification and commercial model. The CCGs are looking to establish what interest there might be in providing such a service from suitably qualified, capable and competent organisations. The CCGs will not be liable for costs incurred by any interested party in participating in this exercise. Interested parties should note that a response to this notice does not guarantee an automatic invitation to any subsequent formal procurement, which the CCGs will consider in due course. Participation in this market engagement activity is not a mandatory requirement for participating in any potential future procurement, however the responses will inform the CCGs with regards to the level of market interest. Confirmation of your expression of interest is therefore important. Providers wishing to express an interest should submit their completed market engagement questionnaire (MEQ) via EU-Supply no later than 4 p.m. on 19.2.2020. This notice has also been advertised on contracts finder.