1. NHS Norwich CCG and NHS North Norfolk CCG wish to commission a remote Diagnostic Dermatology service for skin lesions, using the “store and forward” methodology. This is not a procurement of streaming services.

2. The population covered will be all patients registered with a GP within the Commissioning areas. Patients not registered with a GP within the Commissioning areas are excluded from the service.

3. The Service will also exclude patients presenting with suspected skin cancer, who shall be referred urgently to secondary care under the 2 week wait rule in accordance with the existing local care pathway.

4. The aim of the Service is to provide GPs with online access to rapid dermoscopic diagnosis of skin lesions by doctors experienced in dermoscopy to assist the GP with diagnosis. The objectives of the Service are to achieve:

- provision of a skin lesion diagnosis by a GP to a patient within 3 business days

- a reduction in GP referrals to Dermatology out-patients

- a significant reduction in the cost of Dermatology out-patient attendances

- an increase in GP skills and confidence levels

5. Clinical governance of the provider shall be ensured by:

- regulation by the Care Quality Commission, with a finding of ‘meeting all the essential standards of quality and safety'

- diagnostics being provided only by GMC registered doctors who have substantive NHS connections and with an expertise in skin lesion diagnosis and dermoscopy

6. The Service will deliver appropriate levels of Information Governance by only contracting with a Provider who is accredited to a minimum of Level 2 Certification by NHS Connecting for Health, with access to the N3 network

7. The Provider will be expected to provide all equipment, training, technical updates and equipment refreshes as required through out the life of any resulting contract

8. The contract term shall be for 36 months, with an option to extend further by up to a maximum of 24 months, at the sole discreation of the Commissioners