Penile Prosthesis Surgery (for end stage erectile dysfunction)

NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit (AGCSU), on behalf of NHS England (referred to as the Commissioner), is undertaking a market engagement exercise to understand the current and future capacity and capability of the providers and potential providers within this specialised area. Interested parties are encouraged to register their interest and complete the market questionnaire which will provide feedback to commissioners. NHS England intends to commission the services by splitting the requirement into 7 lots. NHS England is proposing that these lots will be split as follows (subject to the outcome of this Market Engagement Exercise) and providers are able to express an interest in providing services in more than one Lot: LOT 1 - East of England LOT 2 - London LOT 3 - Midlands LOT 4 - North East & Yorkshire LOT 5 - North West LOT 6 - South East LOT 7 - South West

Penile Prosthesis surgery for end stage erectile dysfunction (ESED) is performed when a person is unable to gain or maintain an erection sufficient to allow sexual intercourse or sexual activity.

Penile prosthesis (ESED) surgery must be performed in a Highly Specialised Urology Centre (the Centre(s)") with experience in performing complex penile surgery (excluding gender re-assignment surgery) on the same site.

Network arrangements will be considered to provide part of the Centre's penile prosthesis surgery service where surgeons from the network provider provide an in-reach service. "In reach" surgeons must be part of the specialist penile prosthesis MDT and must meet the minimum surgical requirements as outlined in the Service Specification (https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/1731-Service-Specification.pdf).

The anticipated contract duration for this service will be 3 years with an option to extend the contract by a further 12 month period, at the Commissioner's discretion.

It is possible that as a result of this exercise, a formal tender process will not be required but instead a simpler provider selection process will be required. Where it is noted that competition is absent, direct awards may be considered. All providers will be notified of next steps following the conclusion of this market engagement exercise.

This notice is to advise prospective providers in the market of the commissioner's intention to commission a new service and to provide an opportunity to engage with and participate in a market engagement questionnaire. The outcome of this market engagement will help inform commissioners of the current and future capacity and capability of the market and will be considered with other evidence to inform the commissioning approach.

To register your interest and access the questionnaire, please follow this link: https://uk.eu-supply.com/ctm/supplier/publictenders?B=UK

The project reference is 52080 and the closing date for submission of the completed questionnaire is: 12 noon on Wednesday 18th May 2022.

Additional information: Penile Prosthesis surgery for end stage erectile dysfunction (ESED) is performed when a person is unable to gain or maintain an erection sufficient to allow sexual intercourse or sexual activity. The causes of ESED include medical conditions such as diabetes; drug related side effects and any condition affecting the nerves or blood supply to the penis (for example pelvic or spinal trauma or pelvic surgery for cancer). The procedure is not commissioned for individuals who have not completed first and second line treatments as commissioned by Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs).

Penile prosthesis (ESED) surgery must be performed in a Highly Specialised Urology Centre (the Centre(s)") with experience in performing complex penile surgery (excluding gender re-assignment surgery) on the same site.

The centre must have a specialist penile prosthesis (ESED) Multi-disciplinary Team (MDT) which is responsible for assessing a patient's suitability for surgery and overseeing their treatment and follow up. The centre must include on site andrology/clinical nurse specialists and access to psychological support.

The Centre must be co-located with benign andrological services including surgery for Peyronie's disease (e.g. Nesbit and Lue); and have access to radiology services to support diagnostic assessment and treatment planning. The outcomes of penile prosthesis (ESED) surgery must be recorded by the centre into a national penile prosthesis (ESED) audit, currently been overseen by the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS).

Network arrangements will be considered to provide part of the Centre's penile prosthesis (ESED) surgery service where surgeons from the network provider provide an in-reach service. "In reach" surgeons must be part of the specialist penile prosthesis (ESED) MDT and must meet the minimum surgical requirements as outlined in the Service Specification (https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/1731-Service-Specification.pdf). Each Centre must have a minimum of two urological surgeons undertaking penile prosthesis (ESED) surgery; the centre must have the capacity and ability to ensure each individual surgeon performs a minimum of 10 penile prothesis (ESED) surgeries per annum; and the centre performs a minimum of 20 penile prosthetic (ESED) procedures. There is no delineation between primary or revision surgery in the number of procedures performed.

This service is expected to commence as soon as possible but in 2022/2023, depending on the outcome of the market engagement exercise.