Newmedica - Supplier Accreditation for Glaucoma on behalf of Frimley Integrated Care Board

NHS Frimley ICB commissions Glaucoma surgery services to ensure that supply meets the demands of our ageing population, that Service Users can choose a provider that most suits their individual needs, that quality and safety are central to provision and that the service does not adversely impact the ability to deliver local comprehensive ophthalmology services.

Patient Referral and Access

The service would be expected to:

• All referrals for Ophthalmology treatment must be referred through the triage hub in areas where one exists. Referrals from any other source are not to be accepted unless there is no triage hub available
• In the absence of a triage hub, accept referrals from primary care via e-RS or directly from Optometrists. This may include working with Optometrists to ensure quality and appropriateness of referrals.
• Work proactively with providers across the ICS to support the delivery of the 18 week referral to treatment standard.
• Comply with all national NHS submissions such as WLMDS (clinical validation of surgical waiting lists).

Overview of service

A Glaucoma service is required to deliver the following services across a patient pathway (this list is not exhaustive). Assessment, treatment options offered and provided, including surgical interventions, must be compliant with 2022 NICE Guidance.

• A first outpatient appointment to diagnose COAG and related conditions using all recommended tests.
• - Deliver assessments according to standard practice guidance, develop a treatment plan and prescribe recommended medicines, if appropriate.
• - Support patient decision making by providing information on risks and benefits of treatment options.
• - If required and the patient consents, refer for surgery or laser treatment, and deliver that treatment option.
• - Offer and deliver OHT treatment options to patients according to NICE criteria. Treatments include: 360° selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and medical treatments.
• - Offer and deliver surgical treatment options for COAG including but not limited to: trabeculectomy, trabeculotomy, viscocanalostomy, deep sclerectomy, trabecular stent bypass, minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries and cataract surgery.
• - Deliver pre-operative assessment, surgical procedure, and aftercare.
• - Reassess COAG, suspected COAG and OHT patients according to NICE guidelines, applying the recommended time between assessments.

The Commissioner is directly awarding, following direct award process B, a contract to New Medical Systems Ltd in accordance with the criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award.

The initial contract term is 3 years with an optional extension of up to 1 year. The three-year contract period will commence on the 1st September 2024.

This procurement has been carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.