Any Qualified Provider (AQP) Direct Access Non-Obstetric Ultrasound Service

A local, direct access non-obstetric ultrasound service (where applicable includes Fibroscans) with staff qualified to appropriate levels of skill and experience, using ultrasound equipment which complies with the guidance set by the Royal College of Radiologists, connection to NHS image transfer solutions, the ability to integrate with e-Referral system, robust performance management systems and stringent levels of clinical governance and compliance with CQC essential standards.

The care pathway being commissioned is pre-appointment communication with Patients, the diagnostic investigation and a report being sent to the referrer, which covers not only the description of the investigation and the findings, but also where appropriate covers any recommendations for further imaging or investigation and advice on management. Structured reporting will be encouraged to support local referrers in their options for further clinical management. The services will need to be fully quality assured, validated and supported by the local Commissioners.

The Provider must aim to provide an excellent Patient experience during all parts of the process – to include the examination and the administrative services. In order to measure this, Providers should have in place robust mechanisms for collecting Patient feedback using approaches that reflect the diverse nature of their Patient population. This should include as a minimum, a Patient satisfaction survey, and one real time feedback mechanism. There must be a sound process for receiving and dealing with suggestions, compliments and complaints.

The aim of the service is to aid early diagnostics and avoid the need for unnecessary referral to secondary care, or to support the shift of activity into a primary care setting, where this will improve access. Where there are clear secondary care clinical pathways with ultrasound as a core component, it is more appropriate for this diagnostic to be undertaken as an integral part of the clinical pathway.

Additional information: The Contracting Authority intends to use an eTendering system in this procurement exercise. The services to which this notice relates fall within Part B of Schedule 3, Part 10 of the Public Services Contracts Regulations 2006 (as amended) ('the Regulations'). Neither the publication of this notice nor the employment of any particular terminology nor any other indication shall be taken to mean that the contracting authorities intend to hold themselves bound by any of the Regulations save those applicable to the procurement of Part B services.

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