Central Norfolk Community Complementary Therapy Primary Care led Lymphoedema Service Ref: 0AQ/ANGPROC/17/008

NHS Norwich CCG (Co-ordinating Commissioner), with NHS North & South Norfolk CCGs are looking to commission a locally provided Complementary Primary Care led Lymphoedema Service to improve access, promote early intervention, limit disease progression, reduce need for time-intensive therapy, lower cellulitis hospital admission rates. The scope covers patients registered with NHS Norwich, North Norfolk and South Norfolk CCGs. The new contract will commence 1 April 2018 under the NHS Standard Contract for a 3 year term. Service Aims: Service User focused to improve patient experience/ outcomes, support independence, improve quality of life for those living with and beyond cancer/ cancer treatment, and for those with Lymphoedema where lymphatic failure is a result of an otherwise normal lymphatic system, adaptable to local needs, prevent admission to hospital based care. The proposed service will release outpatient capacity and reduce the number and duration of hospital admissions or attendances for complications of Lymphoedema.

The current Lymphoedema Service pilot commenced November 2016 offering Lymphoedema treatment and self-care advice by a team of Complementary Therapists, non-registered staff trained to British Lymphology Society (BLS) standards in treatment/ management of Lymphoedema including measuring and fitting of hosiery, and lymphatic drainage. The Commissioners intend to commission a Complementary Primary Care led Lymphoedema Service with a provider who will work with the CCGs and local health system to provide an easily accessible service that improves equity of access, promotes early intervention, limits disease progression, reduces the need for time-consuming intensive therapy, and lowers hospital admission rates for cellulitis. Locally delivered, the scope will cover those registered with practices within the stated CCG localities, focusing on prevention, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of Lymphoedema to deliver a service that is Service User focused, adaptable to local needs and delivers on prevention of admission to hospital based care, clinical effectiveness outcomes and supports independence of the individual. The service will not cover children and young people (0-16 years of age) who will be seen within child specific services. Patients presenting with active cellulitis or an open wound will also be out of scope.

The NHS must develop new ways of delivering care to consider changing needs of patients. It must improve productivity and efficiency in order to bridge an estimated financial gap. NHS organisations need to work with the local system to break down barriers between services, tackle waste and variations in care. Sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) are place-based plans for improving health and care services, that set out how the NHS five year forward view will be delivered locally.

Additional information: Local service challenges have been experienced in part due to increased demand, the need to change the way care is delivered in accordance with the local STP to ease pressures on acute services and increase community provision, and due to difficulties from a shortage of individuals with specialist skills working in this area to undertake the role. The Commissioners have decided to undertake a reduced competitive Request For Quotation and Proposal (RFQ/RFP) process, in accordance with the NHS Standard Financial Instructions guidance, Public Contracts and NHS procurement legislation, and guiding principles for public procurement of transparency, equal treatment and proportionality.

Interested organisations wishing to participate in this procurement must express an interest by registering on the e-tendering website Pro-Contract at https://procontract.due-north.com/Login

All Tender documents are issued via the Pro-Contract site. You must complete and submit a Tender Response via the e-portal by the submission deadline of 12 noon on Monday 4th December 2017. This opportunity has been published on Contracts Finder. NEL CSU is acting on behalf of the stated NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups party to this procurement.