Primary Eyecare Services

{
  "id": "044918-2025",
  "tag": [
    "award",
    "contract"
  ],
  "bids": {
    "statistics": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "value": 1,
        "measure": "bids",
        "relatedLot": "1"
      }
    ]
  },
  "date": "2025-07-31T16:42:26+01:00",
  "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-056a9a",
  "buyer": {
    "id": "GB-NHS-QNX",
    "name": "NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board"
  },
  "awards": [
    {
      "id": "044918-2025-1",
      "status": "active",
      "suppliers": [
        {
          "id": "GB-COH-06722353",
          "name": "Primary Eyecare Services Ltd"
        }
      ],
      "relatedLots": [
        "1"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "tender": {
    "id": "C317419",
    "lots": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "status": "cancelled",
        "hasOptions": false,
        "description": "Adult cataract referral, and post-operative pathway \nThe service facilitates the direct referrals between optometrists and secondary care providers and then post-operative care of a cataract patient.\nThe service is provided by accredited local ophthalmic practitioners who have the necessary equipment to facilitate detailed examinations of the eye, as well as the specialist knowledge and skill to counsel and provide advice to patients with cataract. - Ophthalmic practitioners will:\n•\tHold a WOPEC accreditation for cataract.\n•\tAttend training events organised by local NHS trusts annually\n•\tBe registered with the General Optical Council\n•\tFollow NICE Guidelines for management and referral and GOC required procedures\nThe service is available to all persons over 18 residing, or registered with a GP practice, in the Coastal West Sussex area.\nIntraocular Pressures (IOP) Repeat Readings Service \nThe service assists the Hospital Eye Service in the deflection of unnecessary secondary care referrals for possible glaucoma related conditions.  The Intraocular Pressures Repeat Readings pathway will reduce patient anxiety and increasing capacity issues within the overburdened hospital glaucoma clinics.\nThe service is provided by accredited local ophthalmic practitioners who have a range of equipment to facilitate a detailed examination of the eye.\nThe service is available to all persons residing, or registered with a GP practice, in the Coastal West Sussex area.\nElectronic Eyecare Referral Service (EERS)\nPES provides optometrists access to an EERS called OPERA. This is used to make referrals and communicate between primary eyecare and secondary care.\nThe provider selection process was based on five key criteria, each weighted to reflect its importance in service delivery, value, and sustainability:\no\tQuality & Innovation (30%) - 30% is allocated to quality and innovation to ensure the service is performing to the standards expected and to demonstrate the provider is able to innovate with the commissioner as per the ICB's expectations.\no\tValue (20%) - 20% is allocated to value to ensure our population is getting value for money from the service provided, and to ensure we are spending taxpayers' money efficiently.\no\tIntegration & Sustainability (25%) - 25% is allocated to integration, collaboration, and service sustainability as integration is key to upcoming ICB plans, and along with collaboration as system wide engagement is required to ensure improvements are made to ophthalmology care and experience.\no\tAccess & Health Inequalities (15%) - 15% is allocated to improving access, reducing inequalities and facilitating choice as these are important factors that must be considered for all services ICB's commission.\no\tSocial Value (10%) - 10% is allocated to social value as services should be able to provide additional benefits to the wider population, not just those who access the service, and local social, environmental, and economic benefits, e.g. reducing CO2 emissions.\nThe decision to award the contract to Primary Eyecare Services (PES) was made through review of the above structured evaluation of key criteria, selection standards, and PSR compliance, which demonstrated that PES continues to provide a high quality service for our population whilst ensuring the best value and service continuity for NHS Sussex.\nThe assessment of the current service is as follows:\nQuality and innovation:\n•\tClinical Quality: PES maintains a high standard of clinical quality, complying with NICE guidelines and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists' Commissioning Guidelines.\n•\tAccredited Workforce: The service is delivered by ophthalmic practitioners with WOPEC accreditation and annual NHS trust training, ensuring a high level of competency.\n•\tDigital Innovation: PES uses Opera, allowing direct referral pathways to Hospital Eye Services (HES), reducing administrative burden and improving patient flow.\n•\tPathway Alignment: PES has aligned its processes with the updated integrated cataract pathway, ensuring no fragmentation of care and enhancing service continuity.\n•\tNew Service Developments: PES is involved in pilot schemes such as Glaucoma Enhanced Case Finding, improving early detection and reducing unnecessary hospital visits.\nValue:\n•\tCost-Effectiveness: PES operates a cost-per-episode payment model, ensuring financial efficiency and value for money.\n•\tReduction in Hospital Workload: By managing cataract pre-referral assessments and post-operative follow-ups in the community as well as reducing the number of glaucoma referrals, PES reduces reliance on secondary care, allowing hospitals to focus on complex cases\n•\tTariff Alignment: PES adheres to standardised tariff structures across Sussex, ensuring financial transparency and preventing regional disparities in patient costs.\n•\tEfficiency of Service Delivery: KPI reports confirm timely and accurate billing, with minimal administrative discrepancies.\nIntegration, collaboration and service sustainability:\n•\tService Integration: PES is fully integrated with Opera IT, allowing seamless referrals and patient tracking across NHS Trusts and independent providers.\n•\tCollaboration with Key Stakeholders: PES has strong working relationships with NHS Trusts, SpaMedica, Optegra, and local optometrists, ensuring continuity of care for cataract and glaucoma pathways.\n•\tStandardisation of Care Pathways: Efforts are ongoing to align protocols across all Sussex providers, reducing fragmentation and ensuring a consistent approach to pre- and post-operative care.\n•\tData Flow & IT Interoperability: While Opera IT integration is strong, some independent sector providers lack full data-sharing capabilities, which can hinder seamless service integration.\n•\tSustainability Measures: PES is working on workforce development initiatives, including training programmes for optometrists to expand service capacity and enhance long-term sustainability.\nImproving access, reducing health inequalities, and facilitating choice:\n•\tBroad Patient Access: The service is available in the Coastal West Sussex area, including rural areas, ensuring comprehensive patient reach.\n•\tReducing Health Inequalities: The community-based model improves access for underserved populations, reducing dependency on hospital-based services.\n•\tPatient Choice: The AQP model allows patients to choose their provider, ensuring accessibility and convenience.\nSocial value:\n•\tWorkforce Development: PES invests in training programs for optometrists, supporting skill development and employment.\n•\tEnvironmental Impact: The community-based model reduces the carbon footprint by minimising unnecessary hospital visits.\n•\tEconomic Contribution: By working with local optometry practices, PES supports local businesses and job stability.",
        "awardCriteria": {
          "criteria": [
            {
              "name": "The existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard.",
              "type": "quality",
              "description": "100"
            },
            {
              "type": "price",
              "description": "0"
            }
          ]
        }
      }
    ],
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "1",
        "relatedLot": "1",
        "deliveryAddresses": [
          {
            "region": "UKJ2"
          }
        ],
        "additionalClassifications": [
          {
            "id": "85121281",
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "description": "Ophthalmologist services"
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "title": "Primary Eyecare Services",
    "status": "complete",
    "legalBasis": {
      "id": "32014L0024",
      "scheme": "CELEX"
    },
    "description": "Adult cataract referral, and post-operative pathway.\nThe service facilitates the direct referrals between optometrists and secondary care providers and then post-operative care of a cataract patient.\nThe service is provided by accredited local ophthalmic practitioners who have the necessary equipment to facilitate detailed examinations of the eye, as well as the specialist knowledge and skill to counsel and provide advice to patients with cataract. - Ophthalmic practitioners will:\n•\tHold a WOPEC accreditation for cataract.\n•\tAttend training events organised by local NHS trusts annually\n•\tBe registered with the General Optical Council\n•\tFollow NICE Guidelines for management and referral and GOC required procedures\nThe service is available to all persons over 18 residing, or registered with a GP practice, in the Coastal West Sussex area.\nIntraocular Pressures (IOP) Repeat Readings Service \nThe service assists the Hospital Eye Service in the deflection of unnecessary secondary care referrals for possible glaucoma related conditions.  The Intraocular Pressures Repeat Readings pathway will reduce patient anxiety and increasing capacity issues within the overburdened hospital glaucoma clinics.\nThe service is provided by accredited local ophthalmic practitioners who have a range of equipment to facilitate a detailed examination of the eye.\nThe service is available to all persons residing, or registered with a GP practice, in the Coastal West Sussex area.\nElectronic Eyecare Referral Service (EERS)\nPES provides optometrists access to an EERS called OPERA. This is used to make referrals and communicate between primary eyecare and secondary care.\nThis is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Award Notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 Direct Award Process C. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award.\nThis award is for a maximum period of 12 months, from 01/04/24 to 31/03/25 with the option to extend for a further 15 months until 30/06/26.\nThe service value is £132,000.00 per annum.",
    "classification": {
      "id": "85121281",
      "scheme": "CPV",
      "description": "Ophthalmologist services"
    },
    "procurementMethod": "limited",
    "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
    "procurementMethodDetails": "Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition",
    "procurementMethodRationale": "This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) confirmation of contract award notice. This contract has now been awarded under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. \nFor the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act Regulations 2023 do not apply to this award. \nThis contract has now been formally awarded using Direct Award Process C.",
    "procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
      {
        "id": "D_OUTSIDE_SCOPE",
        "scheme": "TED_PT_AWARD_CONTRACT_WITHOUT_CALL",
        "description": "The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the directive"
      }
    ]
  },
  "parties": [
    {
      "id": "GB-NHS-QNX",
      "name": "NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board",
      "roles": [
        "buyer"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKJ2",
        "locality": "Lewes",
        "postalCode": "BN7 2FZ",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Sackville House, Brooks Close"
      },
      "details": {
        "url": "https://www.sussex.ics.nhs.uk/",
        "classifications": [
          {
            "id": "BODY_PUBLIC",
            "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
            "description": "Body governed by public law"
          },
          {
            "id": "07",
            "scheme": "COFOG",
            "description": "Health"
          }
        ]
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "QNX",
        "scheme": "GB-NHS",
        "legalName": "NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board"
      },
      "contactPoint": {
        "name": "Robert Kitt",
        "email": "robert.kitt1@nhs.net",
        "telephone": "+44 7823534547"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "GB-COH-06722353",
      "name": "Primary Eyecare Services Ltd",
      "roles": [
        "supplier"
      ],
      "address": {
        "region": "UKD3",
        "locality": "Manchester",
        "postalCode": "M4 6LN",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Waulk Mill [2.3], 51 Bengal St"
      },
      "details": {
        "scale": "large"
      },
      "identifier": {
        "id": "06722353",
        "scheme": "GB-COH",
        "legalName": "Primary Eyecare Services Ltd"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "GB-FTS-106693",
      "name": "NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board",
      "roles": [
        "reviewBody"
      ],
      "address": {
        "locality": "Lewes",
        "postalCode": "BN7 2FZ",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Sackville House, Brooks Close"
      },
      "identifier": {
        "legalName": "NHS Sussex Integrated Care Board"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "GB-FTS-137577",
      "name": "NHSE",
      "roles": [
        "mediationBody"
      ],
      "address": {
        "locality": "LONDON",
        "postalCode": "SE1 6LH",
        "countryName": "United Kingdom",
        "streetAddress": "Skipton House, 80 London Road"
      },
      "identifier": {
        "legalName": "NHSE"
      }
    }
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "contracts": [
    {
      "id": "044918-2025-1",
      "value": {
        "amount": 1188000,
        "currency": "GBP"
      },
      "status": "active",
      "awardID": "044918-2025-1",
      "dateSigned": "2025-02-26T00:00:00Z"
    }
  ],
  "description": "This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) confirmation of contract award notice. This contract has now been awarded under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Procurement Act Regulations 2023 do not apply to this award. \nThis contract has now been formally awarded using direct award process C.\nThere are no identified conflicts of interest.\nContract Period: 1st April 2024 - 30th March 2025 with the option to extend until 30th June 2026. The total price for the full contract period will be £1,188,000 exclusive of VAT.\nThe procurement is approved by the Deputy Chief Delivery and Strategy Officer and Director of Strategic Commissioning\nWritten representations should be sent to robert.kitt1@nhs.net",
  "initiationType": "tender"
}