Provision of a tier 2 Community Ophthalmology Service on behalf of NHS Blackpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Fylde & Wyre CCG

This Procurement is for a new Tier 2 Community Ophthalmology Service in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.

The Service is designed to meet the needs of service users registered with a Blackpool, Fylde or Wyre GP and as a resident of Blackpool, Fylde or Wyre who present with:

• defined acute eye conditions,
• defined chronic conditions.

Service users will be referred to the intermediate service for triage and where possible service users will be assessed and provided with the appropriate treatment/advice in a single visit.

The main outcomes of the Service will be:

• appropriately clinically triage referrals made to Ophthalmology Services and ensure that the service user is referred onto the appropriate service,
• deliver community-based Ophthalmology Services for a defined range of eye problems,
• to provide targeted assessment and follow ups and co-management of specific chronic eye conditions within the community against an agreed set of protocols,
• to demonstrate improved service user experience, quality of life and improved access for service users,
• to deliver high quality eye care to service users registered with Blackpool and Fylde and Wyre GPs,
• ensure that referring GP's are given prompt and full information about their patient's diagnosis or treatment in line with national standards,
• to achieve a fundamental shift of care from the acute providers into the community so the service users can access effective and high quality services closer to home,
• to provide service users with a choice for the management of the specific eye conditions included in the specification,
• ensure that all eligible patients are managed through the service,
• reduce pressure on the hospital eye service by delivering eye care outside the hospital where at all possible and ensuring that those that are referred are appropriate and fully worked up.

The contract duration will be for 3 years, which is intended to run from 26.03.2019 until 25.03.2022 with the possibility of one extension of up to 2 years (25.03.2024). The anticipated, maximum total contract value (including any potential extensions) is 2 339 946 GBP with an annual value estimated at 467 989 GBP.