Auditory Brainstem Implantation in children (ABI) - 2 providers

NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands CSU (AGCSU) on behalf of NHS England - Specialised Commissioning is inviting suitably qualified and experienced providers to deliver Auditory Brainstem Implantation in children (ABI).

The key objectives of the Procurement are: to commission the Service(s) to serve the population of England and relates to children as defined in the service specifications. NHS England's over-arching aims are:

• Establish a new service for the provision of auditory brainstem implants for children with congenital abnormalities of the auditory nerves or cochleae with profound deafness.
• Support the development of clinical expertise and experience in the assessment and treatment of children with congenital abnormalities of the auditory nerves or cochleae with profound deafness
• Ensure appropriate outcome reporting, monitoring and clinical governance structures are in place for the provision of this highly specialised service.

Service Scope:

The service will be provided for children (aged 5 and under). These children would normally be referred to this highly specialised service by a local auditory implant centre, where, following initial assessment, they are considered unlikely to gain adequate benefit from conventional well-fitted hearing aids or cochlear implant. Following referral, all children will undergo further comprehensive assessment by as specialist multi-disciplinary team to assess suitability for auditory brainstem implantation (ABI). It is anticipated that up to 15 children may be referred to the service each year, with up to ten continuing to surgery.

The service will need to be based in a paediatric auditory implant centre, and have the following key dependent services available on-site (as described in the service specification):

• Assessment: Radiology; Paediatric cardiology; Paediatric neurology; Paediatric clinical psychology
• Surgery: Paediatric neurosurgery; Paediatric intensive care; Neurophysiology
• Follow-up and Rehabilitation: Radiology assessment; Paediatric Audiology; Paediatric Speech and Language Therapy.

The contract will be 'Cost and Volume', based on an agreed tariff package price as outlined in the tender documentation. It is anticipated that the service provision resultant of this procurement will have an estimated annual agreement value of circa £350k per contract (per provider). This is based on the agreed tariff per patient and anticipated patient numbers.

As a result of the procurement, two contracts will be awarded. Each contract will be for a period of 3 (three) years with the Commissioner having the option to extend the contract for up to a further 1 (one) year,

Deadline for submission: 28 June 2018 at 5pm. To access the tender documentation and submit a tender please visit https://ardengemcsu.bravosolution.co.uk -project_1022; itt_1000.

Additional information: Deadline for submission: 28 June 2018 at 5pm. To access the tender documentation and submit a tender please visit https://ardengemcsu.bravosolution.co.uk -project_1022; itt_1000.