Community Ophthalmology

NHS Thames Valley ICB ("the Commissioner") is commissioning a Community Ophthalmology service, diagnosing and, where appropriate, treating specific ophthalmic conditions. It is intended to address conditions which do not require treatment in secondary care but does not include delivery of services which form part of the core GMS Primary Care Contract. The service provision is for patients aged over 16, delivered in an outpatient setting; with expectation of appointments being made available within a maximum of 3 weeks from point of referral. Referrals are taken via a triage service (currently provided by Evolutio) from GPs and optometrists. Referrals are passed by Evolutio to SOPS Healthcare Ltd. The service is aimed at conditions which do not require hospital services. Follow-ups are provided only where required, and there is typically a maximum of 1 follow-up for every first appointment/visit. Thames Valley ICB has followed PSR Direct Award C for the contract to which this notice relates. The total expected value of the contract for the initial 12-month contract term is £105,483 The optional 12-month extension expected value of the contract is £105,483. Therefore, the full expected lifetime contract value is £210,966 The contract period will commence on 01 October 2026. This procurement has been carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners. Additional information: Evidence that SOPS Healthcare Ltd have satisfied the existing contract to a sufficient standard according to the detail outlined in the contract: they provided all of the required documentation, information and policies for the existing contract. They have followed the contractual service specification, not deviated from Thames Valley ICB Safeguarding requirements, charged the correct local prices as per the contract, issued invoices correctly in accordance with the Thames Valley ICB process, complied with Quality reporting requirements, and followed Schedule 6A reporting requirements. They have complied with/not fallen foul of the applicable NHS Standard Contract (Shorter Form) Service Conditions, including Service Conditions in relation to the following: service standards, co-operation, information requirements, safeguarding, payment terms and quality requirements. They have also complied with/not fallen foul of the applicable shorter Form General Conditions, including those relating to liability & indemnity, assignment & sub-contracting, and Information Governance. The proposed contracting arrangements are substantially consistent with the existing arrangements, which the provider has delivered to a satisfactory standard. Accordingly, the Commissioner is satisfied that the provider is likely to continue delivering the services to the required standard under the proposed contract.