Procurement for the provision of specialised surgical services: Gender Dysphoria Masculinising Genital Pathway to NHS England, NHS Scotland and NHS Wales

NHS England and NHS Scotland seek bids from providers who have the capability and capacity to deliver Gender Dysphoria Surgical Services. Services being procured are and Genital surgery (trans masculine). The Services will be available to individuals eligible for NHS-funded care who are ordinarily resident in England, Scotland or Wales - or otherwise who are the commissioning responsibility of the NHS in England, Scotland or Wales - and who meet the eligibility criteria described in the Service Specification. Successful Bidders will hold a single contract with NHS England for services provided to eligible patients who are the commissioning responsibility of NHS England, NHS Scotland and NHS Wales. The NHS pathway of care for adults with gender dysphoria will differ according to the individual's goals. The envisaged adult pathway may typically be summarised as: • Referral to a specialist Gender Dysphoria Clinic • Assessment for gender dysphoria, and diagnosis • Individuals who meet the criteria for diagnosis of gender dysphoria are accepted on to the NHS care pathway and an individual treatment plan is agreed between the individual and their lead clinician in the Gender Dysphoria Clinic • Certain therapeutic interventions are delivered by the Gender Dysphoria Clinic; and / or referral for interventions with other providers; which may include recommendations to primary care for prescribing endocrine treatments • Gender Dysphoria Clinic makes a referral for surgical interventions of the chest and genitals if criteria are met via a planned National Referral Support Service • Ongoing review and monitoring during and after interventions • Conclusion of contact: discharge to primary care Contracts will be for an initial term of 5 years with a possible extension of any period up to a further 2 years as defined and at the discretion of the Commissioner. The approach for improving the surgical market is focused on establishing a flexible contract that facilitates patient choice based on a consideration of reliable data including new quality indicators. No volumes are guaranteed on the award of a contract. Contracts will be awarded to all providers who meet the minimum standard criteria This tendering process will consist of two stages: (1) Stage 1 will entail Providers expressing their interest and providing evidence of their capability and capacity in relation to the service requirements. The aim of this shortlisting stage is predominantly to test the capability and capacity of potential providers for this specialist service; (2) Stage 2 will either be: (a) for providers who already hold a NHSEI Gender Dysphoria Surgical Contract an assurance process assessing their capability to deliver the surgical element of the female to male pathway; or (b) for providers who do not hold a NHSEI Gender Dysphoria Surgical Contract an assurance process assessing all aspects of surgical delivery and ongoing care for Gender Dysphoria patients. The Assurance Process will be a collaborative and flexible, evidence based approach to securing the delivery of the services. Evidence will be considered by subject matter experts and assessed against critical success factors and expected minimum standards". This procurement is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.