Expressions of Interest for redesign and re-development of Community Dermatology Services in Derbyshire

NHS Arden & Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit (NHS Arden & GEM CSU) on behalf of NHS Southern Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group acting as lead commissioner on behalf of the Derbyshire CCGS including NHS North, Erewash and Hardwick CCG's are inviting expressions of interest from suitably qualified providers who would be interested in supporting commissioners with the re-design and development of Community Dermatology service. The desired outcomes of the service re-design and development is to commission a community based Dermatology service, that meets patient's needs with timely access to diagnosis and treatment, managing dermatological conditions where possible and appropriate within a primary care setting. The service vision is to improve access to Dermatology services; to reduce waiting times and improve patient experience. The vision is to allow GPs to manage patients without the need for a secondary care referral, and be treated with a shorter timeframe.

Skin disorders affect all ages and are amongst the most common diseases encountered by health professionals. Though thousands of dermatological conditions exist, eight conditions account for 80% of dermatology-related GP consultations. In recent years, there has been a national increase in referrals to dermatology services. This is due to the increased frequency of some of the commonest skin diseases. Approximately a quarter of the population have a skin condition which may benefit from medical care at any one time. Fifteen per cent of the population consult their GPs each year because of a skin condition and between 15%-20% of GP consultations have a dermatological element to them. Skin disease is one of the commonest reasons for injury, disablement benefit and spells of certified incapacity to work in the UK. It is obvious therefore that dermatological conditions cause a heavy burden on both individuals and health care services.

The aims and objectives of the service are to:

1. Deliver an integrated approach ensuring Providers can work together Derbyshire Wide with a particular focus on improving self-care and learning and development within primary care.

2. Improve, support, manage and coordinate Dermatology need and conditions delivered primarily in the community with access to expertise in secondary care for advice, collaboration and onward referral when required.

3. Work closely alongside GPs to encourage and enable GPs to provide support and self-help/management of the patients' Dermatology conditions without the need for onward referral.

Additional information: The new service will be expected to deliver the following outcomes:

• An improved pathway of care with minimal disruption to patients, closer to home • A positive experience of care for every patient • More educated and empowered patients in how to stay healthy and prevent disease • Efficient and appropriate patient flows through primary, community and secondary care services • Reduced waiting time for patient access to specialist care • Delivery of an accessible and sustainable service • Improved communication between specialist provider clinicians and GPs • Reduce variation within primary care • Reduce variation within primary care • Improved health outcomes for patients This is a market testing exercise and does not commit the CCG to carry out a procurement process. Current services will remain in place during this period in line with existing contracts and service level agreements. Bidders who have expressed an interest in this market testing exercise will have the opportunity to submit a separate response to the Contract Notice as applicable.

Following review of the feedback from the questionnaire a decision will be made on whether to hold an engagement event later in the year to offer an overview of the Commissioners intentions regarding any future opportunities, facilitate networking opportunities between all interested parties, help refine the commissioning approach and inform the development of the service specification.

If you wish to express an interest please register on the Bravo Portal https://ardengemcsu.bravosolution.co.uk. The PQQ reference is PQQ_518.

Once registered please complete the questions in the qualification envelope which asks providers to give details about your organisation's name and postal address, email address, contact name and number. Your response should also include capability and previous experience of delivering this or a similar level of service.

Please note the deadline for responses is by 5pm on Friday 10th August 2018.