PIN for Lymphoedema Service in East Berkshire

NHS Frimley ICB is seeking expressions of interest in a potential tender for a lymphoedema service in East Berkshire. The service will be open to adults over the age of 18 registered with an East Berkshire GP.

Early intervention is fundamental to successful treatment and long term management, and comprises pre-emptive interventions through to intensive therapies, and may include assessment, advice and education, risk reduction strategies, skin care, compression, simple and manual lymphatic drainage, exercise, positioning, pain management and psychological support. Supported self-management is an essential element of lymphoedema management.

Treatments should be offered in line with The Lymphoedema Framework: Best Practice for the Management of Lymphoedema (2006) and all relevant NICE guidance.

All patients with lymphoedema should receive a coordinated package of care, at a level of intervention appropriate to their needs. The main objectives of the service are:

• Restore maximal functional potential • Reduce the risk of infection/cellulitis • Reduce the risk of preventable hospital admissions • Improved access to high quality lymphoedema services for all patients living with or at risk of lymphoedema • Provide specialist holistic assessment to include physical, psychological, spiritual and cultural needs • Provide long-term control of limb volume and improve limb shape • Maximise lymphatic drainage in affected areas and minimise fibrotic changes • Restore maximum musculoskeletal function and correct postural imbalances • Provide psychological support • Improve patients'/carers' understanding of lymphoedema and the rationale for treatment • Improve patients' ability to self-manage through specialist advice and education • Improve the quality of life for patients with lymphoedema • Improve the waiting times from referral to treatment • Work towards maximal cost efficiency in treatment supplies • Work with associated services and teams to provide a joined up seamless care pathway for people with lymphoedema e.g., District Nurses, Tissue Viability teams, leg ulcer clinic teams • Explore and develop appropriate pathways for people with high BMIs and a diagnosis of lymphoedema.

The contract will potentially be for 3 years with an option to extend for 2 further years. The estimated contract value based on current activity levels would be £950k over the full five year period.

If your organisation would be interested in providing the above service, please contact [email protected] (cc'ing [email protected]) to express interest. The closing date for responses is 5pm 18th August 2023.

Additional information: The services are healthcare services falling within Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations") which are not subject to the full regime of the Regulations but is instead governed by the "Light Touch Regime" contained within Chapter 3, Section 7 of the Regulations (Regulations 74 to 77).