Harrogate and Rural District CCG - Expression of Interest for Minor Eye Condition Service (MECS)

We would be ideally looking for a lead provider model to deliver this service. The service should provide for the assessment and treatment of a number of eye care conditions in the community and be provided by accredited local ophthalmic practitioners who have a range of equipment to facilitate detailed examination of the eye, as well as the specialist knowledge and skill.

The service will be accessed by patients direct from the local ophthalmic practitioner, either by:

• self-referral to the service via local signposting ("self-referral")
• attending a GP or Pharmacist who recommends attendance and treatment ("GP or Pharmacist referral")
• an ophthalmic practitioner may refer a patient to themselves for a MECS assessment if the patient and their condition fulfil the MECS requirements, the ophthalmic practitioner would otherwise have referred the patient, and s/he believes that undertaking a MECS assessment may avoid the necessity for referral
• attending another ophthalmic practitioner who does not provide the service

The service should be available to all persons registered with a GP practice located within the geographical area of Harrogate and Rural District Clinical Commissioning Group for the duration of the service.

Service Aims

The service aims to improve eye health and reduce inequalities by providing increased access to eye care in the community.

The service utilises the knowledge and skills of primary care ophthalmic practitioners to triage, manage and prioritise patients presenting with an eye condition

Access to eye care to enable more patients to receive treatment closer to their homes.

The service is expected to reduce the number of unnecessary referrals from primary care to secondary care, supported by the provision of more accurate referral information if a referral is made.

Relationships between ophthalmic practitioners, GPs, Pharmacists and the Clinical Commissioning Group will be further developed.

Additional information: How to apply: Harrogate and Rural District CCG are keen to test the potential provider market for Minor Eye Condition Service.

Potential Providers with relevant experience and capability to deliver this service wishing to express an interest in this opportunity should register on the NHS Sourcing Portal (www.nhssourcing.co.uk) Project 20326 PQQ_29258.

The Deadline for Expressions of interest is 17:00 on Tuesday 12 April 2016.

Please note that this is a market testing exercise to inform Harrogate and Rural District CCG’s decision making process, this does not commit Harrogate and Rural District CCG to carry out a procurement process. We are looking to procure a service for an initial contract period of 2 years.