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Summary, notice description and lot information
NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit (AGCSU), on behalf of six West Midlands NHS Integrated Care Boards, is in the planning stage of a procurement process for sight testing and spectacle dispensing services for special educational settings in the West Midlands. Categorised under optician services (CPV: 85160000), this market engagement exercise is intended to explore the viability and structure of the future procurement opportunity. The exercise involves an early market assessment questionnaire to assist in shaping the upcoming tender process, with responses required by 5pm on Tuesday, 7th October 2025.
The procurement method involves the use of an e-tendering system, with further formal procurement expected to be published in November 2025. This procurement presents a significant opportunity for providers within optician and healthcare services to expand their business by addressing the needs of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Businesses with expertise in delivering accessible healthcare services in educational settings would be particularly well-suited to compete, due to the integration required in special schools.
The scope includes delivering eye checks to approximately 24,784 students across the region, addressing barriers such as mobility, sensory or behavioural challenges, and ensuring integrated care within familiar school environments. This opportunity encourages providers to actively shape the service provision through feedback on various aspects, including service mobilisation, contract length, and payment models, which can lead to potential growth and visibility in the healthcare market.
This notice is purely for providers to express an interest in the opportunity to provide Sight Testing and Spectacle Dispensing Service for all Special Education Settings.<br/><br/>The Office of West Midlands (OWM) will be working on behalf of the following 6 West Midlands NHS Integrated care boards (ICBs):<br/><br/>1. NHS Birmingham and Solihull (indicative number of patients 6663)<br/>2. NHS Black Country (indicative number of patients 4781)<br/>3. NHS Coventry and Warwickshire (indicative number of patients 3450)<br/>4. NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire (indicative number of patients 2844)<br/>5. NHS Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin (indicative number of patients 1983)<br/>6. NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent (indicative number of patients 5063)<br/><br/>to commission annual eye checks for all 5-25-year-olds, within a Special Educational Setting (SES) "Special Schools", across the West Midlands. The Commissioners are reaching out to the market for providers assistance in shaping this service for the circa 24,784 students across the West Midlands with special educational needs. <br/><br/>Many children in special school's face barriers to accessing high street opticians due to mobility, sensory, or behavioural challenges. Research has shown that children with a learning disability and/or autism are 28 times more likely to experience challenges with sight and eye health. Half of the children assessed as part of the Proof of Concept (POC) had a problem with their eyes or vision, and at least a third needed glasses. Despite this greater need, most children and young people must attend a hospital eye department for routine services and over 40% have no history of eye care provision. <br/><br/>The benefits of providing eye checks in a special school setting are: <br/><br/>1. Accessibility <br/>2. Familiar Environment and people<br/>3. Early Detection & Intervention<br/>4. Educational Impact<br/>5. Family Support<br/>6. Integrated Care within the school.<br/><br/>Please note the deadline for expressing an interest is 5pm on Tuesday 7th October 2025. Additional information: Please note the Contract Notice Publish date is only indicative at this time and is subject to change.<br/><br/>The lotting strategy has not been decided as yet. The lotting strategy will be informed by a number of factors outlined in market engagement questionnaire and wider stakeholder's feedback.
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