4 CCGs in South Staffordshire, led by NHS Stafford and Surrounds Clinical Commissioning Group, are seeking to re-procure the current provision of Non Obstetric Ultrasound services through AQP. The associate CCGs are Cannock Chase Clinical Commissioning Group and South East Staffordshire and Seisdon Peninsular Clinical Commissioning Group, East Staffordshire Clinical Commissioning Group. This is a full re-opening of the current AQP Non Obstetric Ultrasound service. All existing providers must reapply for accreditation status to continue providing this service as at 1.4.2016. Please note that under ‘Any Qualified Provider’ contracts there will be no guarantees of volume in the contracts awarded. Further, prices are set and can be accessed on the tariff (included in the documentation).

The overarching aims of the service are:

— To ensure patients receive the right test at the right time and in the most clinically appropriate local setting,

— To ensure diagnostic testing is integrated across pathways of care, that the report and/or images follows the patient and that there is no unnecessary duplication of investigation,

— To enable patients and referring clinicians to access a choice of provision according to patient choice, clinical need and relevant care pathway, and

— To ensure diagnostic tests are appropriate, necessary, clinically correct, of high quality, with timely access and reporting,

— To develop local service provision as part of a diagnostic commissioning plan which aims to improve access and choice for patients.

The service will be commissioned using the Any Qualified Provider process. In securing services under the AQP process, assurance of competence, quality and safety standards is required.