Stoke on Trent and North Staffordshire CCGs are seeking to commission a Community Direct Access Echocardiogram service.
The NHS supports the need to develop improved access to diagnostic tests as part of the drive to reduce waiting times. The need to develop community based diagnostic services is supported by the Royal College of General Practitioners as part of a service strategy to improve access to tests and ensure these tests are delivered at the right stage of the patient pathway. 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 images follows the patient and that there is no unnecessary duplication of investigation; and
— To ensure diagnostic tests are appropriate, necessary, clinically correct, of high quality, with timely access and reporting.
The Commissioners require a direct access community echocardiogram service with staff qualified to appropriate levels of skill and experience, using connection to NHS information and image transfer solutions, the ability to integrate with the Choose and Book system, robust performance management systems and stringent levels of clinical governance.
The provider will need to collect detailed information that can be used for audit purposes and that we can use for monitoring the service. The provider will be required to submit all information reasonably requested to enable this monitoring to take place.
A detailed Service Specification has been written which explains exactly what is required from this Service.
The successful provider will be required to sign the relevant national NHS contract for the service, accepting all terms and conditions.
Bidders are invited to express an interest in providing this service by email to Beverley Thomas, no later than Monday 15th July 2013. The following information must be stated in the email:
Organisation Name
Organisation Address
Telephone number
Email Address
Website Address
Organisation Type.