GP Direct Access MRI referral (Headache Pathway only)

NHS Brighton and Hove CCG, NHS High Weald Lewes Havens CCG, NHS Crawley CCG and NHS Horsham and Mid-Sussex CCG wish to publish their intent with regards to the following service.

Project Ref: NHS/SOEPS/16.307 GP Direct Access MRI referral (Headache Pathway only)

Patients are currently being referred by their GPs to a Neurology consultant but evidence shows that a significant proportion could be managed within primary care. The CCGs are looking to commission a pathway for GPs to enable them to manage migraines and headaches in primary care. One of the diagnostics that will support this is MRI and this would be via direct access for GPs with enhanced reporting. The CCGs are contacting all of their current MRI providers to ask them if they would be interested in offering this service at national tariff plus the relevant MFF and intend to agree implementation as part of their current contracts. Activity volumes are currently unknown but are estimated to be around 1100 referrals per year, across all CCGs and all Providers. The total value of the activity for the entire contract period to 31st March 2019 is estimated at £393k, however there are no guarantees of activity or income for any provider.

The patients would be referred to MRI providers using an agreed standardised referral form.

This service will replace the current pathway and is required to be in place by the end of FY2016/17 and should demonstrate close integration with other relevant services.

The CCGs are initially looking to vary existing NHS standard contracts for an initial period up to 31st March 2019.

Other suitably qualified providers can register their interest by sending an email with your contact details to the contact given below, quoting the project reference number. Providers will then be contacted by the Commissioners.

Providers should register their interest by email by midnight on Monday 6th March 2017.

No further notices regarding this service will be issued by the contracting authorities.

Additional information: "Light Touch Regime" services:

This service is classified as clinical which comes under the Light Touch Regime services for the purpose of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015("Regulations") as specified in Chapter 3 Section 7. The contracting authorities are not voluntarily following any other part of the Regulations. As the CCGs are relevant bodies for the purpose of the National Health Service (Procurement, Patient Choice and Competition) (No 2) Regulations 2013 these Regulations also apply to this service. All dates, time periods and values specified in this notice are provisional and the contracting authority reserves the right to change these.

Transparency: The contracting authority is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) and may be required to disclose information received in the course of this service under FOIA or the EIR. In addition, and in accordance with the UK Government's policies on transparency this service may be subject to possible redactions at the discretion of the contracting authority.