Tender for the Provision of a SACT Compounding and Nursing Service

The requirement is for a Parenteral Systemic Anti-cancer Therapy (SACT) service to be provided by a provider on behalf of Velindre Cancer Centre which is part of Velindre University NHS Trust. The purpose is to provide SACT services on behalf of Velindre Cancer Centre (a division of Velindre University NHS Trust). This includes the nursing, compounding and facility to provide a SACT service. In recent years there has been a surge of new SACT approved by NICE / AWMSG including immunotherapy to treat solid tumour cancers. This surge is associated with significant increased demand on service resource implications: i.e. medical, nursing and pharmacy staff which is expected to continue to grow as more drugs / indications are NICE approved. Through a process of risk assessments, some SACT have been identified as having a relatively low risk profile associated with the administration and shorter duration of infusions. Therefore, it is prudent to consider alternative models for their delivery which do not compromise patient experience and allows for treatment closer to home. Additional benefits of utilising a centralised delivery location, as opposed to individual patients’ homes, are focussed on economies of scale and service sustainability i.e. less nursing staff are required to treat the same number of patients. The aim of this service is to increase capacity in order to help meet SACT demand as required. The Medicines@Home Service, as part of the Pharmacy department at Velindre Cancer Centre, will operationally manage the service. The Medicines@Home Service has significant experience in using third party contractors for medicines homecare services including utilising third party nursing, compounders and facilities in order to provide patients with care closer to home.