Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
NHS SURREY HEARTLANDS INTEGRATED CARE BOARD
Dukes Court, Duke Street
Woking
GU21 5BH
Contact
Robert Kitt
Telephone
+44 7823534547
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKJ35 - South Hampshire
NHS Organisation Data Service
QXU
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.surreyheartlands.org/nhs-surrey-heartlands-board
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
Stable Glaucoma Monitoring in Surrey Downs
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85121281 - Ophthalmologist services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
The contract relates to the provision of a community-based Stable Glaucoma Monitoring Service, whereby clinicians and accredited optometrists provide ongoing monitoring and care for patients with diagnosed, treated ocular hypertension (OHT) and stable glaucoma at programmed intervals in the Surrey Downs area.
The contract is paid on an activity basis.
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: £25,500
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 85121281 - Ophthalmologist services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
The contract relates to the provision of a community-based Stable Glaucoma Monitoring Service, enabling clinicians and accredited optometrists to provide ongoing monitoring and care for patients with diagnosed, treated Ocular Hypertension (OHT) and stable glaucoma at programmed intervals in the Surrey Downs area.
The contract is paid on an activity basis.
NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB has awarded a contract to Epsomedical Limited under Provider Selection Regime 2023 Direct Award Process C.
The approximate lifetime value of the contract will be £25,500.00 over the two-year term, from 1st April 2024 until 31st March 2026.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard. / Weighting: 100
Price - Weighting: 0
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: 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:
This procurement falls under the Provider Selection Regime 2023 Direct Award Process C. For the avoidance of doubt, the Public Contract Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act Regulations 2023 do not apply to this procurement.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: No
Section five. Award of contract
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
31 March 2024
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 1
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Epsomedical Limited
Cobham Hospital, 168 Portsmouth Road
Cobham
KT11 1HS
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKJ2 - Surrey, East and West Sussex
Companies House
3286288
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £25,500
Section six. Complementary information
six.3) Additional information
This contract is awarded via Direct Award Process C, in accordance with The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (PSR).
The Authority confirms the provider delivered the prior contract to a consistently high standard and no material changes have been made in the renewed contracting arrangement.
Against the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Key Criteria, Epsomedical Limited has demonstrated expertise and is anticipated to continue doing so. Evidence of current service delivery against the PSR Key Criteria and the breakdown of Key Criteria weighting in relation to this service for the purposes of awarding a contract under Direct Award C is detailed below:
Quality & Innovation (20%)
• Epsomedical Ltd has demonstrated consistent delivery of a high-quality, consultant-led Stable Glaucoma Monitoring (SGM) service. The model includes a structured 4-visit pathway across 6-12 months, involving three optometrist-led reviews and one by a GPwSI, accredited medic, or consultant ophthalmologist providing oversight.
• All practitioners delivering care are suitably accredited, with evidence of continued professional development submitted annually. The service is underpinned by strong clinical governance, including Local Quality Requirements (LQRs), Royal College standards, and registration with the General Optical Council and NHS England performers list.
• Innovation is embedded in the service model through its use of advanced diagnostics and close clinical supervision. Epsomedical also works proactively with patients to adapt services based on feedback and clinical needs, ensuring the care model remains person-centred and up to date.
Integration, Collaboration & Sustainability (25%)
• Epsomedical's SGM service is well integrated within local pathways across Surrey Downs, bridging primary, community, and secondary care. The provider collaborates with the Local Optical Committee, GPs, and system partners to ensure effective triage, pathway continuity, and local workforce development.
• The model directly supports reduced outpatient activity in acute trusts by shifting stable patients into a safe, community setting, helping maintain hospital capacity for complex cases. This aligns with the ICB's sustainability goals, both clinically and environmentally, by lowering avoidable travel and making effective use of resources.
• The model is resilient, scalable, and contributes to long-term service sustainability in line with NHS Long Term Plan ambitions.
Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice 25%
• The service offers convenient and flexible access to glaucoma monitoring within community settings. By providing care closer to home with shorter waiting times, it improves access for patients who may struggle to attend hospital appointments - including older adults, patients in rural areas, and those with mobility challenges.
• Epsomedical's approach supports personalised care, offering appointment flexibility and minimising the burden on carers and families. Feedback has been consistently positive, demonstrating high levels of patient satisfaction and a strong focus on patient dignity, safety, and autonomy.
• The service also contributes to addressing inequity by freeing up hospital appointments for patients with more complex or progressive disease.
Value (20%)
• The service offers a cost-effective alternative to secondary care glaucoma follow-up, with stable unit costs and a proven track record of high-quality delivery. Epsomedical ensures timely follow-up aligned with HES reporting standards.
• The contract offers measurable efficiency savings by reducing pressure on ophthalmology outpatient clinics, avoiding delays, and reducing emergency escalation caused by missed reviews.
• Epsomedical's community-based model ensures good value while maintaining clinical safety, system benefits, and strong patient outcomes.
Social Value (10%)
• Epsomedical delivers social value through local employment, training, and retention of clinical staff.
• The organisation supports local economic sustainability and works closely with NHS partners to align service delivery with community priorities.
• The model contributes to the NHS's net zero carbon goals by reducing unnecessary travel through care delivered in local clinics, with accessible transport options. The service design reflects environmental responsibility, system efficiency, and person-centred care principles.
• Patient feedback is actively gathered and used to co-develop improvements, ensuring services meet local need and support long-term community health outcomes.
Governance and Decision-Making
Approval:
The contract award was approved by the Surrey Heartlands ICB Commissioning, Contracting & Commercial (CCC) Committee on 22nd October 2024 and approved by Executive Board 2024, in line with the authority's governance processes.
Conflicts of Interest:
All Decision-Making Forums requested that Conflicts of Interest be declared in order to accommodate mitigations that may be required. No declarations were raised. Individuals working on the programme declared no interests for the duration.
Standstill Period and Regulatory Context:
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.
Written representations should be sent to robert.kitt1@nhs.net
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Surrey Heartlands ICB
Woking
Country
United Kingdom
six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures
NHS England
Skipton House, 80 London Road
London
SE1 6LH
Country
United Kingdom