Community Ophthalmology 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 Community Ophthalmology Services. The aim of the community ophthalmology service is to provide specialist out of hospital care for the diagnosis, treatment and management of a range of eyecare conditions. The service offers a decentralised eyecare provision to serve the local communities in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. The service will improve access and reduce waiting times for ophthalmic services in the local health economy and will work seamlessly with other eye health services across the county to support service delivery and enable patients to better manage their health needs and increase self-care. The service will contribute to a reduction in the number of referrals made into acute secondary care settings for ophthalmic conditions which are amenable to treatment in primary and community secondary care settings. 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.