NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme London Region

The award notice concerns the procurement of 5 Diabetic Eye Screening Programmes (DESP) to deliver screening to the eligible populations of North West London (Lot 1), North Central London (Lot 2), North East London (Lot 3), South East London (Lot 4), and South West London (Lot 5).

The eligible population includes patients over the age of 12 diagnosed with diabetes registered with, or eligible to be registered with, a GP in the lot area as well as individuals within prisons, secure units and the armed forces.

The aim of the DESP is to reduce the risk of sight loss amongst people with diabetes by the prompt identification and effective treatment, if necessary, of sight threatening diabetic retinopathy.

This will be achieved by delivering an evidence-based service that:

•Identifies the eligible population and ensures effective delivery with maximum coverage.

•Is safe, effective, high quality, externally and independently monitored, and quality assured.

•Leads to earlier detection, appropriate referral, effective treatment and improved outcomes.

•Is delivered and supported by suitably trained, competent and qualified clinical and non-clinical staff who, where relevant, participate in recognised ongoing continuing medical education, continuous professional development and quality assurance schemes. •Has audit embedded in the service.

•Works effectively with other stakeholders to ensure the care pathway is smooth and efficient.

There are 3 key elements of service delivery, namely:

•Call/recall for all people with diabetes invited for routine digital screening; this is currently undertaken on an annual basis, but screening intervals are likely to extend to 2 years for people at low risk during the contract term, in line with national guidance. •Digital surveillance where individuals need more frequent screening.

•Slit lamp bio-microscopy (SLB) for those individuals where normal photography is inappropriate (e.g. those having cataracts).

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) does not form part of this Contract at this time, though this position may change over the life of the contract in line with national guidance.

The Contract term will be 5 years, with an option to extend for a further 2 years at the sole discretion of the Commissioner. The Contracts are due to commence on 01/07/2024.

The 7-year estimated contract values, based on predicted activity levels, are:

Lot 1 = £33,703,069, Lot 2 = £18,930,476, Lot 3 = £28,062,012, Lot 4 = £21,533,552, Lot 5 = £18,120,336

Please note, the full indicative contract values per each financial year can be found in the tender documentation.