North of England Commissioning Support Unit are working for and on behalf of NHS North Durham Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS Darlington Clinical Commissioning Group who wish to commission a service for the provision of Adult Hearing Services, in line with national guidance and local requirements.

The providers need to deliver high-quality, efficient services which are responsive to the needs of the local communities.

The service will be commissioned using the Any Qualified Provider (AQP) process. In securing services under the AQP process, assurance of competence, quality and safety standards is required. Any provider will be eligible to join the qualified provider list subject to demonstrating competency against specified criteria. Qualified providers will be expected to deliver the service under the NHS Standard Contract. As a qualified provider there are no levels of guaranteed activity. Payment is made based on actual provision and outcomes.

The deadline for completion of the qualification document was 12:00 on Monday, 11.1.2016.