Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) Services in Thames Valley ICB - Market Engagement

This notice is placed as a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to inform the market of Thames Valley Integrated Care Board (ICB), (the Commissioner's), intention to commission a Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) service in line with the national service specification, for the Thames Valley geographical area. The service specification can be found at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/1652-aip-service-specification.pdf

The Commissioner would like to understand the level of provider interest in delivering this specialised service.

The PAS service will provide specialist multidisciplinary maternity care for women at increased risk of Placenta Accreta Spectrum, delivered through designated specialist PAS centres operating as part of a regional network arrangement across the South East. The provider for the Thames Valley geographical area will be expected to work collaboratively with providers delivering PAS services across the other South East geographical areas and with local maternity services to ensure safe, effective and coordinated pathways of care.

While the service is commissioned primarily to meet the needs of the Thames Valley population, it is recognised that there may be a requirement to accept referrals from outside the geographical area. As the service becomes established, geographical boundaries may be reviewed in partnership with relevant service providers.

The contract will be for an initial duration of five years (60 months) with an optional extension of up to two years (2 x 12 months).

The approximate expected annual allocation of funding for the Thames Valley geographical area has been based on anticipated patient flow and incidence of complex PAS and is estimated at £283,500 per year, with an anticipated five year total value of £1,417,500.

This exercise is being carried out by NHS England South East, with procurement support from NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner. SCW is currently subject to restructuring, and the management of this procurement may therefore move to a successor at some point during the procurement process. Participants will be informed of any such change, and any administrative changes because of it.