The CCGs entered into a procurement process for the provision of Tier 3 Community Dermatology across NHS North Staffordshire, NHS Stoke-on-Trent, NHS Stafford and Surrounds, NHS Cannock Chase and NHS South East Staffordshire and Seisdon Peninsular CCGs.The Community Dermatology service included a multi-disciplinary, consultant-led service, whereby patients shall be seen by a Consultant, Dermatology Registrar, GP with Special Interest or specialist nurse, and where appropriate shall be assessed and treated in the same appointment, thus avoiding a referral to secondary care. The provider needed to offer clinical triage, assessment, diagnostic biopsy, and treatment for listed conditions and ensure that all treatments comply with the latest version of the CCGs’ Excluded and Restricted Procedures Policy.

The Commissioners entered into a procurement process for the provision of Tier 3 Community Dermatology across NHS North Staffordshire, NHS Stoke-on-Trent, NHS Stafford and Surrounds, NHS Cannock Chase and NHS South East Staffordshire and Seisdon Peninsular CCGs. The Tier 3 Community Dermatology service will include a multi-disciplinary, ‘one stop shop’ consultant-led service, whereby patients shall be seen by a Consultant, Dermatology Registrar, GP with Special Interest or specialist nurse, and where appropriate shall be assessed and treated in the same appointment, thus avoiding a referral to secondary care. The provider shall offer clinical triage, assessment, diagnostic biopsy, and treatment for the conditions listed within the specification. The service shall ensure that all treatments comply with the latest version of the CCGs’ Excluded and Restricted Procedures Policy and where necessary use the individual funding request process for any none standard treatment for unique cases.

For any patient that requires further intervention through to secondary care, the service will work closely with local partner organisations to ensure a swift, coordinated pathway is followed and that all service users are transferred to the appropriate specialty with all relevant transfer documentation. This in turn will ensure reduction of delays in overall pathway of care, ensuring service user experience is at the heart of all care. The service will be provided within community locations throughout the Staffordshire localities allowing patient choice closer to home.

Following a competitive process, The CCGs have awarded a contract for a period of 3 years with a possible 2 Years extension. The service will be delivered under the NHS Standard Full Length Contract.