Semen Analysis for Oxfordshire and Berkshire West and Post Vasectomy Analysis for Oxfordshire

This is a PIN seeking expressions of interest in a potential tender for a Semen Analysis service in Berkshire West and Oxfordshire for NHS Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB).

Semen analysis to establish male fertility is a key component of the care pathway for couples who appear to be unable to start a family. Currently, GPs/managing clinicians are required to arrange for the male partner to undergo semen analysis before referring the female partner for gynaecological assessment.

The nationally agreed care pathway for female and male infertility diagnosis, treatment, and management, including the place of semen analysis, is described in the following guidelines:

NICE Clinical Guideline No 156 Fertility (2016)

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg156

In addition to the above service, semen analysis for Oxfordshire GP registered patients following complex vasectomy carried out in Secondary Care is not provided as part of the post- operative pathway and will therefore also form part of this service.

Aims and objectives of service:

To provide a high-quality semen analysis service essential to: • diagnose male infertility or sub-fertility. • ensure unnecessary or inappropriate treatment is not provided to the female partner. • plan an appropriate care pathway for the couple who are trying to conceive. • confirm sterility, post complex vasectomy carried out under GA undertaken in secondary care for Oxfordshire GP registered patients.

Care Pathway

• The local care pathway requires that semen analysis to assess for male fertility is undertaken prior to secondary care investigations for female fertility. • The provider must provide either an appointment-based or a 'walk in' service on a minimum of two weekdays each week within working hours for males who are required to produce fresh samples. The regular time/day availability of the service must be agreed with the ICB so that reliable information can be circulated. • The provider must provide a postal service for Post Vasectomy clients for samples at 4 months, if motile sperm are detected a repeat test will need to be undertaken after a further period of 4-8weeks. • Rarely, where travel time or other circumstances would prevent a patient from accessing the provider's laboratory within the one-hour time threshold, the provider should be able to provide a facility for on-site sample collection on their clinical premises.

The initial contract term is expected to be for 2 years from 01/10/2023, with an optional extension of a further year.

The financial envelope is circa £60,000 per annum.

This PIN is being published by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the ICB.

If you would like to express interest in potentially bidding for this service, please send an email to [email protected] (cc'ing [email protected]) by the closing date.

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).