Consultant-Led Community Dermatology Services for NHS Worcestershire CCGs

National guidance for healthcare commissioners regarding Dermatology Services states that appropriate levels of care should be commissioned to provide integrated community and acute levels of service, and that some patients may be seen in 'intermediate care' clinics staffed by healthcare professionals working in community settings. Such clinics may be staffed by Consultant Dermatologists, Specialty and Associate Doctors, General Practitioners with Special Interests or specialist Dermatology nurses, but new services should be developed in partnership with secondary care.

The above named commissioning bodies are seeking to jointly procure a Community Dermatology Service which shall deliver a high-quality, consultant-led service for all patients across Worcestershire in community settings. This will enable patients to receive care closer to home which will improve patient access and enhance patient experience.

A key aim of the new service shall be to ensure the future provision of high quality, effective care that is patient focused and achieved through collaborative and multi-disciplinary working across Worcestershire.

The Worcestershire Consultant-Led Community Dermatology Service shall work in close collaboration with secondary care providers and GP colleagues; excellent communications between providers will support delivery. Working with GP colleagues shall help to increase knowledge and confidence for further management of long-term conditions in primary care.

The Worcestershire Consultant-Led Community Dermatology Service shall be provided in a minimum of three locations across Worcestershire, all three locations must be capable of providing all elements of the service. The three locations will provide equitable access for patients across Worcestershire. There should be a key emphasis on care provided from a community-based clinic setting. The Service shall include a full Tele-dermatology service (i.e. where it is offered as an alternative for a face-face appointment).

Currently most secondary dermatological care is provided by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (WAHT) outpatients, light therapies and some surgery is based at Kidderminster Treatment Centre; further outpatients, complex surgery and inpatient beds are based at Worcester Hospital. In addition, patients may choose to access dermatological services at other NHS Trusts, under Patient Choice.

The commissioning bodies intend to award one contract. The contract duration shall be two (2) years, with the option to extend for a further one (1) year, subject to agreement. The new service must commence on the 1st April 2020. NHS Standard Terms and Conditions shall apply.

The commissioning bodies have set affordability thresholds for the Procurement and reserve the right to reject any bid that exceeds the affordability threshold of £1,104,088.00 for the initial 2 year contract. The estimated total lifetime cost of the contract should the optional extension be used is £1,656,132.

Additional information: This procurement exercise will be conducted on the Midlands and Lancashire CSU portal at https://mlcsu.bravosolution.co.uk (i) Candidates should register on the portal at https://mlcsu.bravosolution.co.uk (registration and use of the website is free of charge).

If your organisation has registered previously, you do not need to re-register; (ii) Once registered, candidates must submit your reply on the website and by email by the deadline stated.

For technical support in submitting your expression of interest contact the Bravo Solution Help-desk on +448003684850 or E-mail: help@bravosolution.co.uk.

"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 as specified in Schedule 3 of the Regulations ("Regulations"). The contracting authorities are not voluntarily following any other part of the Regulations. As the CCG is a relevant body for the purpose of the National Health Service (Procurement, Patient Choice and Competition) (No 2) Regulations 2013 these Regulations also apply to this procurement. 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.

Any redactions, whether in relation to information requests under FOIA, the EIR or policies on transparency will be in accordance with those grounds prescribed under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

Further information on transparency can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-and-contracting-transparency requirements- guidance