Direct Access Non-Obstetric Ultrasound Service (NOUS)

This notice is placed in order 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 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 contract(s) to provide the Service from 1st October 2020. The CCGs are considering what the contracting process will be for the Service which may differ from the current Any Qualified Provider contracting form. The new Service will be for a period of 3 Market Engagement Questionnaire (MEQ) on behalf of the following NHS Greater Manchester Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs): Bury, Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, Manchester, Oldham, Salford, Stockport and Tameside & Glossop.

years, with the option to extend for a further 2 at the CCG's discretion. The estimated costs associated with provision of this Service (based on 5 years) are £30m.

This Service is designed to meet the needs of the CCGs 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 e-Referral Service, robust performance management systems and stringent levels of clinical governance.

The purpose of this notice is to inform the market of the CCGs intention to renew the contract(s) 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.

This notice has also been advertised in the OJEU.

Additional information: Deadline for responses