AQP Audiology for Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board

This is an advertisement for soft market testing to gauge market interest which will influence future commissioning and procurement direction. It is not a call for competition and providers are advised that a separate procurement opportunity will be advertised by the Commissioner in the future. Interested providers should therefore not take this advert as a registration for the future procurement opportunity and will need to register separately for this when it is advertised. The procurement opportunity is likely to be advertised on Friday 18th August 2023.

NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board (STW ICB) are looking to seek expressions of interest and to engage with suitably qualified and experienced Providers with regards to the commissioning of a Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss Service for Adults Aged 55 and Over.

The service will deliver a community based, adult hearing assessment service, including hearing aid fitting (where required), follow-up and aftercare services for adults aged 55 or over, with suspected or diagnosed age related hearing loss who have been referred by their GP.

The Service will consist of: • Hearing needs assessment (on an outpatient or domiciliary basis); • Development of an Individual Management Plan (IMP); • Provision and fitting of hearing aids in a suitable environment (quiet, confidential, ensuring privacy and dignity); • Follow-up appointment to assess whether needs have been met; • Discharge from hearing assessment and fitting pathway; • Aftercare including advice, reassessment, maintenance, repairs or replacement of hearing aids and review as required; • Batteries, tips, domes, wax filters, tubing and other consumables replacement service; • Help and support to the housebound; • Appropriate hearing rehabilitation to include patient education, lip reading etc; • Information on, and signposting to any relevant communication/social support services, including assistive technologies advice.

It is anticipated that any future AQP accreditation may be for a period of 3 years with the option to extend for up to a further 24 months. The procurement is likely to be valued at an estimated £7,055,000.00 (including extension period) and the new service will commence from the 1st April 2024. NHS Standard Terms and Conditions shall apply.

The ICB are looking to host a virtual Market Engagement Event with potential providers via Microsoft Teams on Thursday 6th July 2023, timings to be confirmed. Please note that whilst the Commissioner will be guided by the discussions to be held at the Market Engagement Event, they will not necessarily be bound by what is discussed for any future procurement opportunity.

Should you be interested in attending the Market Engagement Event please complete your registration details via the Atamis Health Family eCommercial System. The closing date for EOIs and registration is 12:00 noon on Wednesday 28th June 2023.

Additional information: It should be noted that this is not a procurement exercise at this stage and participating organisations are responsible for their own costs.

To register your Expression of Interest (EOI) in attending the Market Engagement event, please complete the questionnaire on the Atamis Health Family eCommercial System https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome.

The closing date for EOIs and registration is 12:00 noon on Wednesday 28th June 2023.

Please note those expressing interest will still be required to register for any future procurement and should not rely on their response to this EOI. The ICB intends to publish the Contract Notice for this requirement around Friday 18th August 2023.

This future procurement is for Light Touch Regime services for the purpose of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 as specified in Schedule 3 of the Regulations ("Regulations"). Accordingly, the Contracting Authorities are only bound by those parts of the Regulations detailed in Chapter 3 Particular Procurement Regimes Section 7. The Contracting Authorities are not voluntarily following any other part of the regulations.

The ICB is a relevant body for the purpose of the National Health Service (procurement, patient choice and competition) (No. 2) Regulations 2013.