Castle Point and Rochford and Southend Clinical Commissioning Groups wish to invite suitably qualified and experienced providers to submit tenders for the provision of an Integrated Community Dermatology Service.

The proposed model for NHS Castle Point and Rochford CCG and NHS Southend CCG is a hub and spoke service overseen by one provider. The service will be consultant led ensuring that patients are seen in the least restrictive setting — in the community (the spoke — level 3) wherever possible and in the specialist setting (the hub — level 4) when necessary.

Castle Point and Rochford and Southend Clinical Commissioning Groups wish to invite suitably qualified and experienced providers to submit tenders for the provision of an Integrated Community Dermatology Service.

The proposed model for NHS Castle Point and Rochford CCG and NHS Southend CCG is a hub and spoke service overseen by one provider. The service will be consultant led ensuring that patients are seen in the least restrictive setting — in the community (the spoke — level 3) wherever possible and in the specialist setting (the hub — level 4) when necessary.

The overarching aim of the Integrated Dermatology Service within the Castle Point and Rochford and Southend footprint is to provide patients with a high quality, safe and efficient service which improves outcomes, making best use of resources.

Please note that the services and associated specification and prices, commissioned within this contract may be subject to review and change. Moving forward it is the CCG's intention to work closer with the CCGs within the Mid and South Essex STP footprint. Therefore the scope of possible changes to be made to this contract shall relate to the potential introduction of a larger population to support the STP footprint (i.e. the contract and specification may be amended to deliver a dermatology Service to Basildon and Brentwood, Mid Essex, and Thurrock CCG populations), through a variation to the contract in accordance with Regulation 72 (1) (a) of the Public Contracts Regulations 205.

Additionally in accordance with Regulation 72 (1) (a) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, the contract may also be amended in terms of the original services supplied, where following assessment of reasonable alignment of out of hospital services it is identified that it is logical for additional services to be delivered in conjunction with this contract and by the lead provider or one of its sub-contractors, both in terms of actual service delivery and to avoid duplication of costs. These services may include but are not limited to other services formally delivered in a secondary care outpatient setting and any day case or outpatient procedures where it is foreseen that these services can be delivered more effectively as part of this contract.

This may include the following specialities (or elements of): cancer and plastics activity, including minor plastics procedures, Rheumatology, Ophthalmology, Diagnostic procedures (including direct access), ENT, MSK, Cardiology, Diabetes care and Respiratory care.

In accordance with Regulation 72 (1) (a) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, please note that Castle Point and Rochford and Southend CCGs reserve the right to amend the contract, where following assessment, it is found that it is no longer appropriate for the acute inpatient element and non-elective support to Southend University Hospital Foundation Trust and Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital to be included within the Integrated Community Dermatology Service. The CCGs therefore reserve the right to withdraw this element of the contract.

Any changes to the contract shall be subject to discussion with the provider to reach agreement on the scope of service change and local price in accordance with these provisions. The Lead Provider will be asked to participate in the development and redesign of relevant pathways that may result from this development.