Provision of Diabetic Eye Screening Programme in Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country (West Midlands)

NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit on behalf of NHS England and NHS Improvement Midlands (the Commissioner) would like to notify the market of an opportunity to provide a Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) in Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country (West Midlands) and are inviting suitably qualified providers to deliver the aforementioned services.

The maximum total contract value for the service is £29,379,485 for the full duration including extension, with a service commencement date of 1st October 2022. The contract will be offered for a duration of 5 years with the commissioner having the option to extend for up to a further 2 years (maximum contract duration 7 years).

The aims of the DESP is to reduce the risk of sight loss amongst people with diabetes by the prompt identification and effective treatment if necessary, of sight threatening diabetic retinopathy, at the appropriate stage during the disease process.

The Service being commissioned should align to the National Diabetic Eye Screening Service Specification which aims to ensure a consistent and equitable approach across England, and to govern the provision and monitoring of the DESP. The current eligible cohort size circa 200,000. The Service will need to undertake and perform the following objectives in order to meet the commissioning and Service Specification requirements:

• Identify the eligible population and ensure effective delivery with maximum coverage. • Deliver safe, effective, high quality, externally and independently monitored, and quality assured Diabetic Eye Screening Programme. • Lead to earlier detection, appropriate referral, effective treatment and improved outcomes. • Deliver and support thorough suitably trained, competent, and qualified, clinical and non-clinical staff who, where relevant, participate in recognised ongoing continuing medical education (CME), continuous Professional Development (CPD), and Quality Assurance (QA) schemes; as well as have regular audits embedded within the service.

The provision of DESP is delivered in line with the following aims of the NHS long term plan • Improve public health outcomes and reduce health inequalities. • Contribute to a more sustainable public health, health and care system.

The DESP programme also contributes to the public health outcomes framework which aims to improve and protect the nation's health and wellbeing and to improve the health of the poorest, fastest.

The Contracting Authority will be using an eTendering system in this procurement exercise. The services described within this notice relate to the Light Touch Regime in the Public Procurement Regulations 2015. 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 Authority intends to hold itself bound by any of the Regulations.