Provision of Ophthalmology Services

This is a Contract Award Notice to communicate a contract award made by the Contracting Authority; Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board, (hereinafter referred to as "the Authority") in compliance with their local standing financial instructions (SFIs).

On 29th December 2023, the Authority published a Voluntary Ex-Ante Transparency Notice (VEAT) (Reference: 2023/S 000-038031) to inform the market of its intention to award the contract. The Authority applied a voluntary 10-day standstill period prior to conclusion of the contract. The contract award is made to Community Health and Eyecare Ltd. for the provision of Ophthalmology services across Hertfordshire and West Essex.

The new contract is intended to start on 1st April 2024 and will be for a period of 1-year, ending on 31st March 2025.

This contract was originally awarded via a competitive procurement process for a period of 3-years with the option to extend for a further 2-years, and is now due to expire on 31st March 2024. The total cumulative value of this contract to end March 24 will be £13,552,663 (excl. VAT).

The value of the new contract will be £2,940,568 (excluding VAT).

This additional 12 months will be used to allow the Herts and West Essex Integrated Care Board to redesign the Ophthalmology Service model to understand how services can best meet the needs of patients into the future. Within that time, a decision will also be made on the most appropriate route to market.

Additional information:

In July 2022, the CCGs across Hertfordshire and West Essex came together to form a new organisation - NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board. This has impacted on the system 'places' within HWE ICB as it has taken time to reach agreement in relation to the relevant operating models. Whilst these have been developed, procuring these services would not be an option as this would risk putting in place services which do not meet the needs of our patient populations.

The ICB will utilise this additional contractual period to provide continuity of care for our patient population whilst we redesign the Ophthalmology service model. The new model is likely to include other services which are not currently provided for within the existing scope of services.

Once the model has been designed, the Authority will decide on the most appropriate route to market for the services.