The Commissioner is looking for suitably qualified and experienced provider(s) to continue with the provision and development of a broad range of high quality ophthalmic services which are currently delivered in the community settings within the boundaries of the Enfield District for access to Enfield patients. The service will be pivotal to the continued achievement of reduced waiting times by offering more community based services to patients, therefore reducing demand for secondary care and releasing that capacity for those patients with more complex and urgent needs. The service will benefit patients by delivering a more efficient and effective care pathway. The provision of alternative treatment settings will also support the reduction in demand for secondary care. The community Ophthalmology service will be provided under the ‘Any Qualified Provider’ model. All providers will be required to provide the core adult service and may also choose to offer additional optional services.

The Community Ophthalmology service will be provided under the ‘Any Qualified Provider’ model. All providers will be required to provide the core adult service and providers may also choose to offer additional optional services. The service will treat patients suffering from a range of minor routine eye conditions. Specific conditions to be assessed and/or treated are Glaucoma, Cataracts and age related Macular Degeneration.

Core Adult Service

Adult: with the ability to direct list for surgery. New and follow up appointments will be delivered at the community tariff. The service will provide community-based, outpatient services for adults aged 18 years and over with non-urgent ophthalmic conditions.

Additional Optional Services

1. Paediatrics aged 17 and under with the ability to direct list for surgery (if required). All new and follow up appointments will be delivered at the community tariff.

and/or

2. Treatment for Macular Degeneration with the use of Avastin for Wet AMD

Direct Listing

Providers must be able to offer secondary care direct listing following a review in the Community clinic. The Provider will not charge another outpatient appointment prior to Surgery. Post-operative review for routine procedures, where clinically appropriate will be seen at the community tariff in providers community or hospital location.

Choice

Patients will be allowed to choose any of the community providers. Providers not offering an additional service will not be offered as choice to patients who require that service.

Consultant Led

The service will be consultant led and will include an onsite consultant ophthalmologist providing overarching clinical leadership and clinical governance oversight. Effective clinical leadership and clinical governance arrangements are integral to the service model and the Provider will ensure that services are delivered by sufficiently skilled staff.

Locations of Service Delivery

The Provider will provide the service from at least one community location within Enfield. Providers can use their acute site as an additional community base (regardless of location). This may be within or outside the Enfield Boundary. However, it must be accessible to Enfield patients. The community location may operate from a range of facilities (e.g. GP practices, Health Centres or high street Optometrists).The locations/premises for service delivery will be finalised based on the proposals of the preferred bidder and will be listed in the final contract.

Patient Satisfaction

Patient satisfaction surveys will also be undertaken on a monthly basis initially as the service expands, then three monthly thereafter, with key outcomes being fed back to Commissioners. The patient survey will include the Friends and Family test. The patient survey must be specific to the Enfield Community Service.

Reporting Requirements

Providers delivering the service will be measured against Quality Requirements, Contract KPIs, information data and provide regular dashboard reporting to commissioners. This is to maintain good patient experiences, patient safety and positive clinical outcomes.

AQP Tariff Arrangements

As the service is being commissioned under AQP arrangements, payment will be made at a local tariff for consultant-led care; there is no guarantee of income.

All new and follow up appointments for both core and additional services are to be delivered in the community at the community tariff.