The Provision of a Direct Access Non-Obstetric Ultrasound Service and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Head and Neck Service

This notice is placed to facilitate early engagement with potential providers, inviting participation in a pre-procurement Market Engagement Event relating to the future procurement of a Direct Access Non-Obstetric Ultrasound Service (NOUS) - Lot 1 and Direct Access Magnetic Resonance Imaging Head and Neck Service (MRI) - Lot 2 for eligible patients within Greater Manchester.

The intended date of Service commencement is 1st October 2021, for a period of 3 years, with the option to extend for a further 2 years, at the CCGs' discretion. The contracts will not offer guarantees of volume or payment (zero value).

The services will aid early diagnostics and avoid the need for unnecessary referral to secondary care. They will ensure a local service with staff qualified to appropriate levels of skill and experience, using equipment which complies with the most up-to-date guidance set by the Royal College of Radiologists, connection to NHS image transfer solutions, the ability to integrate with the e-Referral system, robust performance management systems and stringent levels of clinical governance.

More detail on the proposed service models can be found in the draft Service Specifications on EU Supply.

Lot 1: Direct Access Non-Obstetric Ultrasound Service (NOUS) The Direct Access NOUS service is designed to meet the needs of the following CCG's registered populations: • NHS Salford Clinical Commissioning Group • NHS Bury Clinical Commissioning Group • NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group • Manchester Health and Care Commissioning • NHS Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group • NHS Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group • NHS Tameside & Glossop Clinical Commissioning Group The estimated costs associated with provision of this Service (based on 5 years) is £30m.

Lot 2: Direct Access Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Head and Neck Service The Direct Access MRI Head and Neck service is designed to meet the needs of the following CCG's registered populations: • NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group • Manchester Health and Care Commissioning • NHS Tameside & Glossop Clinical Commissioning Group The estimated costs associated with provision of this service (based on 5 years) is £4m.

Organisations or individuals who may be interested in delivering the services, either entirely or as a subcontractor, are warmly invited to attend a Microsoft Teams pre-procurement Market Engagement Event (MEE), 10am - 1pm on Monday, 14th September 2020.

The MEE will be an opportunity to learn more about the services, input any suggestions and raise any concerns/queries relating to future commissioning and provision of the services. The CCGs will use the outputs from the MEE to inform the final Service Specifications and commercial models.

Additional information: Responses received will assist to inform the CCGs as to the level of interest from the market.

CONFIRMATION OF YOUR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT. The outputs of this Event will not be treated as commercially confidential and may be used by the CCGs in the final Service Specifications used for the contracts, but no Organisation will be individually identified.