Provision of an Eye Care Liaison Officer Service

NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) seeks expressions of interest from suitably qualified organisations that have the necessary capability and capacity to provide Eye Care Liaison Officer Services in Gloucestershire.

The service will provide proactive and reactive emotional and practical support for patients with an eye condition and their carers. This will include outpatient support, inpatient support to the care of the elderly (COTE) wards and community support within the Forest of Dean.

Access to appropriate support and information at the point of diagnosis is denied to many visually impaired people largely through difficulties in accessing information, mobility and knowledge of their rights. The ECLO service aims to ensure these barriers are overcome.

The ECLO service is a key component to ensuring that each person receives appropriate emotional and practical support, information and services, at the earliest opportunity. Offering this service is an integral part of the patient journey from ophthalmology to social care and community support.

Each element of the service will be fully integrated with the patient pathway and will work closely with both hospital and community staff to undertake the following:

 Providing Emotional support  Information-giving / signposting  Advocacy  Identification of need  Development of Referrals pathways, professional relationships/networks  Information and Education on Certification and registration  Monitoring and follow up of patient progress  Input into MDT  Daily living skills and sighted guiding  Record keeping  Evaluation and impact measurement

NHS Gloucestershire CCG is seeking to enter into a contract with the preferred bidder for an initial period of 3-years with an option to extend for a further 2-year period.

Please note the contract value stated on this advert is for the initial 3-year contract period and should be considered as an indicative figure.

NHS Gloucestershire CCG expects that the service provided will represent value for money. The cost envelope range for the delivery of these services is £60,000 to £70,000 per annum (£180,000 to £210,000 for the initial 3-year contract period).

Organisations interested in providing this service should register on the In-Tend e-procurement portal (https://in-tendhost.co.uk/gloucestershireccg) and express interest no later than 5pm, Monday 22 November 2021. Associated Invitation to Tender (ITT) documentation will then be made available for bidding organisations to access. Completed ITT submissions must be returned via the In-Tend portal no later than noon, Friday 3 December 2021.