Provision of Cataract and YAG Laser Services

NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board (ICB) in accordance with the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) (PSR) 2023, through exercising the use of Direct Award B, are seeking to establish a qualified list of providers which offers patient choice in respect of Cataract and YAG Laser Services. Cataracts are opacifications in the natural lens that can make vision blurred or misty. Over time the opacifications become denser, and vision gets worse. The cloudier the lens becomes, the more the person's sight will be affected. Once cataracts start interfering with daily activities such as reading or driving, surgery is usually recommended. According to "UK Vision Strategy 2020" sight loss is now a major health issue, affecting about two million people in the UK. Cataract surgery is a common procedure that involves removing the cloudy lens (cataract) and replacing it with a new, artificial lens (known as an intraocular lens) to restore clear vision. YAG (capsulotomy) laser treatment is a method of treating cloudiness after cataract surgery. The aims and objectives of this service are to: - Deliver high quality and value for money cataract services that reflect best practice guidance. - Maintain access to cataract services in accessible hospital and community settings, that provides care closer to home, improves choice, delivers greater consistency and equity in access to services across the localities. - To assist in addressing the backlog of cataract patients as required. - One stop appointment service for pre-operative assessment including, were clinically indicated any diagnostic tests which should be charged in accordance with coding guidance. - Ensure consistency and equality in management of all Service Users to access treatment and follow up care, in line with service specification and current best practice. - To support patient choice and improve quality of life. - To free up outpatient capacity for patients at higher risk of sight loss - To ensure the delivery of training for the next generation of consultant ophthalmologists through equitable delivery of training to NHS trainees in all providers of NHS cataract surgery - To ensure Service Users with urgent post-surgery issues and complications can be advised and managed by the Provider's own surgical ophthalmic team with any requirement and resource for other providers to support this clearly agreed - To achieve, and drive improvements in the cataract pathway in accordance with best practice. There is no guarantee of business for any provider appointed. The service is being treated for the purposes of this procurement as a patient choice service. The prevailing NHS Standard Contract will take precedent and shall be updated accordingly on an annual basis. Providers must accept any agreed local tariff rates as set by NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Integrated Care Board (ICB). This service is anticipated to be in place for a period of 3 years with the option to extend for up to a further 2 year period. The service shall go live from 1st July 2025, note providers appointed after this date will be provided a contract on a pro rata basis to align to the overall contract period.