AQP Audiology Services for Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups

NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Groups are exploring options on re-commissioning Audiology services.

For information, the current Adult Hearing Services consist of:

• Hearing needs assessment
• Development of an Individual Management Plan (IMP)
• Provision and fitting of hearing aids in a suitable environment (quiet, confidential, with privacy and dignity);
• Appropriate hearing rehabilitation e.g. patient education;
• Information on and signposting to any relevant communication/social support services;
• Follow-up appointment to assess whether needs have been met;
• Discharge from hearing assessment and fitting pathway;
• Aftercare service including advice, maintenance, repairs or replacement of hearing aids under warranty and review as required;
• Batteries, tips, domes, wax filters, tube and other consumables replacement service
• Help and support to the housebound

In order to inform the commissioning process, commissioners are looking to establish what interest there might be in providing such a service from suitably qualified, capable and competent organisations.

Interested parties are asked to complete and return the attached provider sounding questionnaire by 6.00 pm on the return date of Monday 13 November 2017 to the following email address: scwcsu.procurement@nhs.net

Please note this Early Engagement Notice has been issued purely to gauge potential interest in the service, and does not currently form part of any formal procurement process.

Interested parties should note that a response to this Notice does not guarantee an automatic invitation to any subsequent formal procurement, which the commissioners will consider in due course.

Additional information: The Services are healthcare services within the meaning and scope of Annex XIV of Directive 2014/24/EU ("the Directive") and Schedule 3 to the Public Contract Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations"). The tendering process will be conducted in accordance with the requirements and flexibilities provided by Articles 74 to 76 of the Directive, and Regulations 74 to 76 of the Regulations. The Authority will run a transparent tender process, treating all bidders equally. For the avoidance of doubt, the Authority will not be bound by the Regulations or the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union or any other regulations or legislation except for the specific parts or circumstances that apply to the procurement of these Services.