Provision of Neurophysiology Service

There will be mainly two on site services; at Frimley Park Hospital and Wexham Park Hospital.

This will be a Consultant led service including the provision of reports and appropriate patient testing (physiologist or consultant). The Trust will provide the estate and support staff. Provision of diagnostic equipment by the supplier or the commissioner to be discussed and confirmed. If it supports the providers business model, there is a possiblity that Heatherwood Hospital may be an outpatient site and therefore patient travel distances will need to be considered.

Current Activity:

Frimley Park Hospital’s annual activity is approximately 450 EEG tests and 750 EMG tests. Wexham Park Hospital’s annual activity is approximately 250 EEG tests and 950 EMG and EP tests. Frimley Park now conducts about 60 tests at bedside, whereas Wexham does none internally. We expect both numbers to rise with a local service. The paediatric/adult breakdown is not now available.

Complex vs Simple tests:

Complex tests do not have to be conducted on site. Further definition here is requested.

Referrers:

Referrers would be other consultants within the acute hospital, with the primary referrers to include Neurology, Orthopaedics, Plastics, Paediatrics, and Rheumatology departments.

Turnaround Times (Referral to Report):

Adult outpatient testing will have a 4 week referral to report time. Paediatrics will have a 2 week referral to report time. Urgent and inpatient testing will have a 48 hour referral to report time. Electronic reporting is required.

Quality/Performance/Costs:

Quality and performance standards will be measured and will have both positive and negative incentives. Standards will include meeting waiting times, patient satisfaction, and referrer satisfaction.

Quality and performance standards will be typical of NHS contracts. Patient surveys will be biannual. Waiting times standards will be monitored monthly and quarterly with an expected 90% within threshold.

Cost data will be desirable at this stage and mandatory at tender stage.

As this is a pre-tender, providers will not be legally liable to any written claims to this PIN.

An onsite service at both main hospitals is a mandatory minimum standard.

Clarification:

Suppliers should note that this exercise initially constitutes market engagement. The Trust requires that suppliers provide a written solution and send this via email address tenders@fhft.nhs.uk . For any queries or clarifications, please send emails via tenders@fhft.nhs.uk.

There will not be a supplier day prior to return of ITT documentation.

Deadline Date:

Submissions to be sent through by Friday the 29th of May at 2359 hours.