Elective Care Services

Elective Care Services for Cheshire and Merseyside ICB for 2 years plus 1 year possible extension

Additional information: This is a VEAT notice to inform the market that NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB is looking to directly award from the NHS England Increasing Capacity Framework (ICF) for elective services. The ICB will renew its existing contracts for Independent Sector Providers (ISPs).

The current contracted services expired on 31st March 2023. The ICB are awarding a contract for a period of 24 months until 31st March 2025 with an option to extend for a further 12 months (31st March 2026).

There are no guaranteed activity or volumes relating to the Independent Sector Providers. The services commissioned are elective care services. The range of services included within the contract support the principles and regulation of patient choice, particularly as it pertains to the NHS Constitution.

The provision also ensures the continued support for elective recovery across the Cheshire and Merseyside system which is a key component of the NHS England 2023/24 priorities and operational planning guidance.

The services delivered by Independent Sector Providers (ISPs) should provide high quality and cost effective services to ensure that all patients are treated appropriately in line with adopted NICE clinical guidelines, including local Individual Funding Request Policy Guidelines, clinical thresholds and referral criteria. Services should achieve all local and national waiting time targets and other key national and local key quality and performance targets.

The expected outcomes of the service are to:

• Provide safe and effective care in line with national best practice and local guidelines to optimise clinical outcomes;
• Deliver timely assessment, diagnosis and treatment for our population within NHS Constitutional waiting times;
• Engage our communities and patients in the delivery of their healthcare, to support self-care, informed decisions and better personal experience and outcomes;
• Develop confident working relationships with referrers and consultant colleagues in other local providers to serve the best interests of the patient by minimising delays, providing advice, avoiding unnecessary tests or treatment, referring on or back when appropriate and providing clear communication and information;
• Participate in and contribute to local educational forums independently or in partnership with our other providers;
• Meet the quality, safety and reporting arrangements as outlined in the NHS contract, ensuring a safe, effective and positive experience for the patient; and
• Stimulate efficiencies and improvements through innovation to support a sustainable local health economy.