Section one: Contracting authority/entity
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board
Charter House, Parkway
Welwyn Garden City
AL8 6JL
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKH23 - Hertfordshire
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://hertsandwestessex.icb.nhs.uk
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 Ophthalmology Services
Reference number
ACE-0734-2023-HWE
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85100000 - Health services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
This is a Voluntary Ex-Ante Transparency Notice and as such provides notification of the intention of the Authority to enter into a contract for Ophthalmology Services with its incumbent provider, Community Health and Eyecare Limited.
The new contract is intended to start on 1st April 2024 and will be for a period of 1-year, ending on 31st March 2025.
This contract was originally awarded via a competitive procurement process for a period of 3-years with the option to extend for a further 2-years, and is now due to expire on 31st March 2024. The total cumulative value of this contract to end March 24 will be £13,552,663 (excl. VAT). Please note that these are expected values and may be amended post contract finalisation with the provider.
The value of the new contract will be £2,940,568 (excluding VAT).
This additional 12 months will be used to allow the Herts and West Essex Integrated Care Board to redesign the Ophthalmology Service model to understand how services can best meet the needs of patients into the future. Within that time, a decision will also be made on the most appropriate route to market.
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: £2,940,568
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKH23 - Hertfordshire
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
This is a Voluntary Ex-Ante Transparency Notice and as such provides notification of the intention of the Authority to enter into a contract for Ophthalmology Services with its incumbent provider, Community Health and Eyecare Limited.
The new contract is intended to start on 1st April 2024 and will be for a period of 1-year, ending on 31st March 2025.
This contract was originally awarded via a competitive procurement process for a period of 3-years with the option to extend for a further 2-years, and is now due to expire on 31st March 2024. The total cumulative value of this contract to 31st March 24 will be £13,552,663 (excl. VAT). Please note that these are expected values and may be amended post contract finalisation with the provider.
The value of the new contract will be £2,940,568 (excluding VAT).
This additional 12 months will be used to allow the Herts and West Essex Integrated Care Board to redesign the Ophthalmology Service model to understand how services can best meet the needs of patients into the future. Within that time, a decision will also be made on the most appropriate route to market.
Currently, the community ophthalmology service in South and West Hertfordshire (S&W Herts) is commissioned to provide a community consultant led service to diagnose and treat a range of Ophthalmology conditions, and manage relevant follow-up activity within the service, before final discharge back to the care of the patient’s own GP, or onward referral to secondary care where necessary. The service is available to patients aged 16 years and above registered with a S&W Herts general practice or living in South and West Hertfordshire.
The service manages the following conditions:
• Suspected and actual ocular hypertension and glaucoma
• Dry eyes, Blepharitis
• In growing eyelashes
• Lid lesions excluding Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and Cancers
• Posterior vitreous detachment, floaters and flashers
• Dry Age-Related macular degeneration (AMD) pigmented retinal abnormalities.
• Pre-assessment of cataracts
• Post cataract assessment
• Dry macular degeneration
• Wet AMD - Injection clinic - for first and follow up injections to be carried out in the community service, for new patients only.
The service will also deliver minor surgical procedures that are suitable to be delivered in a community setting, with prior approval in the case of low priority treatment procedures, including:
• Insertion of punctual plugs, punctual enlargement.
• Snip procedure
• Lacrimal syringing
• Chalazion* (Policy currently being developed)
• Removal of any other lumps and bumps – warts, cysts, skin tags* (Covered in Cosmetic surgery policy)
• Eye lash removal (ingrowing)
• Entropion repair
• Ectropion repair
• Referral for Cataract surgery*
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
two.2.14) Additional information
In line with best practice, the Authority will observe a voluntary 10-day standstill period prior to finalising a new contract with Community Health and Eyecare Limited.
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:
In July 2022, the CCGs across Hertfordshire and West Essex came together to form a new organisation - NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board. This has impacted on the system 'places' within HWE ICB as it has taken time to reach agreement in relation to the relevant operating models. Whilst these have been developed, procuring these services would not be an option as this would risk putting in place services which do not meet the needs of our patient populations.
The ICB will utilise this additional contractual period to provide continuity of care for our patient population whilst we redesign the Ophthalmology service model. The new model is likely to include other services which are not currently provided for within the existing scope of services.
Once the model has been designed, the Authority will decide on the most appropriate route to market for the services.
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
Title
Provision of Ophthalmology Services
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract/concession
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
8 December 2023
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
Community Health and Eyecare Limited
6 Fulwood Park, Caxton Road
Preston
PR2 9NZ
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKD45 - Mid Lancashire
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: £2,940,568
five.2.5) Information about subcontracting
The contract/lot/concession is likely to be subcontracted
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court of Justice England and Wales
The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained
NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board
Charter House, Parkway
Welwyn Garden City
AL8 6JL
Country
United Kingdom