Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership-Procurement Services (hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust)
Woodland House
Cardiff
CF15 7QZ
Contact
Bethan Dyke
Telephone
+44 2921501500
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://nwssp.nhs.wales/ourservices/procurement-services/
Buyer's address
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0221
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Provision of Eye Care Liaison Officer
Reference number
CAV-DCO (24-25) 107
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85112200 - Outpatient care services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This Direct Award will cover the employment of an Eye Care Liaison Officer to work within Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Ophthalmology Department.
The role of the officer includes the following:
- Supporting information to families, carers and patients
- Assisting with sight registration process
- Referral and signposting to external agencies i.e. Social Services, third sector organisations etc
- Supporting clinicians within Ophthalmology CAVUHB
- Current Sight Life employee runs their own clinic supported and overseen by Ophthalmology CAVUHB clinicians. This covers sight registration and general support.
- Covering both Paediatrics and Adult Ophthalmology
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £220,000
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKL - Wales
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Eye Care Liaison Officer employed with UHW Ophthalmology Department will be employed to deliver services in line with the Royal National Institute of Blind People Quality Framework and Practice guidelines, to people affected by sight loss, their friends, families and carers. The Officer will assist with all aspects of support and guidance to those at any stage of their sight loss journey, providing invaluable care to both Paediatric and Adult patients within the C&V Health Board areas.
The contract will be let for a three-year period plus an additional two-year extension option, via this Voluntary Ex Ante Notice, allowing for direct award to the chosen supplier.
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
The current provider is well established, having provided this service for the Health Board for over ten years. They are a local organisation already providing support and guidance to patients with impaired vision and supporting communities within the Health Board localities.
Due to an aging population, there have been significant increases in Ocular complications and diseases. This has led to major increases in patient cohorts and demands for the Health Board. Therefore, this is an essential service support mechanism both for patients and Cardiff and Vale Clinicians, allowing them to carry out higher priority clinical activities.
The employed individual is currently a part of the service and is supporting the department with critical service tasks. To lose this provision, it would have a significant negative impact on the planned delivery of a critical service.
The Eye Care Liaison Officer already has Eye Clinic Support Studies Accreditation and meets the relevant legal requirements to undertake the service. The provision invaluable care to both Paediatric and Adult patients within the Cardiff & Vale Health Board areas, assisting the Ophthalmology team with certification and registration processes in line with Department of Health as required.
Awarding to the incumbent supplier ensures continuation of service and care of an essential service within the Ophthalmology department. Without this service, there will be a gap in the level of care provided to those who are currently living with sight loss, at any stage of their journey. A potential break in service could be detrimental to pre-existing relationships with the Ophthalmology department as well as the current patients within the locality.
The provision is essential for high quality of patient care, spanning both general and specific requirements of each individual patient. On top of caring for visually impaired individuals, the Officer provides invaluable support for their families and carers, extending their care and knowledge to those who may also be indirectly affected by sight loss.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract/concession
Contract No
CAV-DCO (24-25) 107
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
13 February 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor/concessionaire
CARDIFF INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND,(INCORPORATED)(THE)
Jones Court, Womanby Street
Cardiff
CF101BR
Telephone
+44 7599209636
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKL - Wales
The contractor/concessionaire is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot/concession (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot/concession: £220,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
(WA Ref:148651)
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Telephone
+44 2079477501
Country
United Kingdom