Community Ophthalmology Service / Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS)

Concepts

• health services
• welwyn garden city
• primary eyecare services limited
• eyecare services limited
• community ophthalmology service / minor eye conditions service
• the community ophthalmology service / minor eye conditions service
• this new contract).primary eyecare services limited
• mecs
• mec
• full diagnostic service

Location

Welwyn Garden City

Description

This is a Voluntary Ex-Ante Transparency Notice and as such provides notification of the intention of the Authority to enter into a contract for the Community Ophthalmology Service / Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) to be provided to the population of West Essex (and Essex wide) by the incumbent provider, Primary Eyecare Services Limited.The new contract is intended to begin on 1st April 2024 and end on 31st March 2026 with the option to extend for a further 12 months. The value of the new contract is £1,086,480 (excl. VAT). Please note that these are expected values and may be amended post contract finalisation with the provider.The service has been in place since 1st April 2021 and has a total cumulative value of approximately £920,455 (excluding the value of this new contract).

Total Quantity or Scope

Please note that these are expected values and may be amended post contract finalisation with the provider.The service has been in place since 1st April 2021 and has a total cumulative value of approximately £920,455 (excluding the value of this new contract).Primary Eyecare Services Limited provide the following Community Ophthalmology Service / Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS) pathways of care for West Essex Place patients:• Advice and guidance to health care professionals with regard to the MEC service• Telephone and face-to-face triage to ensure patients are suitable for the MEC service and to assess urgency of treatment required• Patient advice and education• Full diagnostic service and management of results• Appropriate treatment for the diagnosed clinical condition• One stop shop approach where appropriate• Timely onward referrals when clinically necessary• Make appropriate recommendations for medication in line with the agreed formulary• Planned discharge with guidance for continuing self-care• Follow up where clinically necessary

Award Detail

Renewal Options

Option to extend for a further year from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85100000 - Health services

Indicators

• Options are available.
• Award on basis of price.

Legal Justification

Rationale to explain why the proposed contracting arrangements can only be delivered by the existing provider:• The supplier/provider for the MECS is being sought from is Primary EyeCare Services, they are the non-profit organisation of the Essex LOC (Local Ophthalmology Community)• The model is an optometrist-led model delivered by the local optometrists through sub-contractual arrangements with Primary EyeCare Services• PES are the only provider who can deliver this as it’s a coordinating role through which no other provider has those existing arrangements in place with the local optometrists• An alternative provider could not deliver the service as the local optometrists are unlikely to engage with an alternative provider given their relationship with PES• Without a provider to deliver that coordinating role with those existing arrangements, the optometrist-led model could not be delivered• An alternative model for the service is not being considered as it has achieved significant benefits as demonstrated by the outcomes achieved

Other Information

In line with best practice, the Authority will observe a voluntary 10-day standstill period prior to concluding the proposed contract with Primary Eyecare Services Limited.