Pre-Market Engagement - Outsourced Clinical Coding Services

Introduction The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust is undertaking preliminary market engagement to inform its future procurement strategy for the provision of outsourced clinical coding services. The purpose of this engagement is to improve the Authority's understanding of current market capability, service delivery models, capacity, mobilisation requirements and commercial approaches prior to any future procurement activity. This engagement is not a procurement process and will not be used to evaluate suppliers or determine any future contract award. Background The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust is considering options for the provision of outsourced clinical coding services to support the accurate and timely coding of admitted patient care activity and other relevant healthcare activity in accordance with national standards and guidance. The work will be for low complexity short stay (<24 hours) Non-Elective activity, circa 1400 to 1800 FCE’s per month. We are currently engaged with another Outsourcing Supplier for a routine Clinical Coding support package. The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust is seeking information from suppliers with experience of delivering clinical coding services within NHS organisations and other healthcare settings. Scope of Interest The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust is interested in understanding supplier capability relating to: • Outsourced clinical coding services. • Backlog reduction services. • Business-as-usual coding support. • Capacity support during periods of increased demand. • Clinical coding audit services. • Clinical coding quality assurance services. • Mobilisation and transition arrangements. • Information governance and data security arrangements. The estimated contract value is currently being determined through preliminary market engagement Service Model The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust's current requirement is focused on services delivered by appropriately qualified and experienced clinical coding professionals. Suppliers are invited to describe their service model, including: • Number and grade of coding staff available. • Clinical coding qualifications held by staff. • NHS coding experience. • Quality assurance processes. • Clinical engagement arrangements. • Escalation and governance processes. Where suppliers utilise technology-enabled solutions to support service delivery, they should clearly explain: • The role of the technology. • The level of human clinical coder involvement. • Governance arrangements. • Quality controls. Next Steps Responses will be used solely to inform the Authority's understanding of the market and any future procurement approach. Participation in this engagement does not confer any advantage or disadvantage in relation to any future procurement opportunity. The Authority reserves the right not to proceed with any procurement following this engagement. The anticipated procurement timetable is indicative only and subject to change following engagement with the market.