MSK/Diagnostic Uncertainty service

Concepts

• health services
• windsor
• service standards
• diagnostic uncertainty
• msk/diagnostic uncertainty service
• the community physiotherapy services
• service conditions
• a multi-disciplinary community advice, assessment and treatment service
• uncertainty
• quality requirements

Location

Windsor

Description

NHS Frimley ICB ("the Commissioner") sought to commission Dr K Lothe and Partners LLP to provide an MSK/Diagnostic Uncertainty service. MSK/Diagnostic Uncertainty service for Surrey Heath is for patients aged over 18. The service is a multi-disciplinary community advice, assessment and treatment service to support GPs and community physiotherapists in diagnostic assessment and treatment planning for patients with challenging MSK conditions; i.e. patients where diagnostic uncertainly exists and/or the patient has been unresponsive to previous treatments. The normal referral route into the service is via a patient's GP. Referrals are also received from Community Physiotherapy providers for diagnostic uncertainty. The initial face-to-face clinical assessment uses a biopsychosocial model, and draws on a multi-disciplinary team of experts. It includes access to biomechanical, pharmacological and psychological assessment. The aim of the clinical assessment is to identify a diagnosis, where possible, support the referrer and patient in the management of ongoing symptoms where there continues to be diagnostic uncertainty, develop and implement an agreed treatment and/or management plan. The majority of patients after the initial assessment will be: - Referred back to the GP with a diagnosis and clear management plan or - Referred to the community physiotherapy services (Choice of provider to be offered at point of referral) or - Identified as suitable for the Community Pain Service or - Referred on to services outside community services. Treatments are limited to: - Non-ultrasound guided injections / Ultrasound guided injections - Advice and signposting to supported self-management and positive lifestyle options, including physical activity and weight management, smoking and diet - Pharmacological management advice including managing medication and flare-ups. Follow-up appointments are also provided under this pathway.

Total Quantity or Scope

NHS Frimley ICB ("the Commissioner") sought to commission an MSK/Diagnostic Uncertainty service. A summary of the purposes and objectives of the services are below. … The Commissioner is directly awarding a contract to the existing provider Dr K Lothe and Partners LLP in accordance with the criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The total value of the contract for the initial one-year contract term is £396,893. The full lifetime contract value (one year + optional one year extension) is £796,167.36. The one-year contract period will commence on the 1st July 2024. This procurement has been carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.

Award Detail

Renewal Options

Option to extend by up to 1 year

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85100000 - Health services

Indicators

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

Legal Justification

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 24th July 2024. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.

Other Information

Evidence that Dr K Lothe and Partners LLP have satisfied the existing 23/24 contract to a sufficient standard according to the detail outlined in the 23/24 contract: they provided all of the required documentation, information and policies for the existing contract. They have: followed the contractual service specification, not deviated from Frimley ICB Safeguarding requirements, charged the correct local prices as per the contract, issued invoices correctly in accordance with the Frimley ICB process, complied with Quality reporting requirements, and followed Schedule 6A reporting requirements. Dr K Lothe and Partners LLP have complied with/not fallen foul of the 23/24 NHS Standard Contract (Shorter Form) Service Conditions, including Service Conditions in relation to the following: service standards, co-operation, information requirements, safeguarding, payment terms and quality requirements. They have also complied with/not fallen foul of the 23/24 Shorter Form General Conditions, including those relating to: liability & indemnity, assignment & sub-contracting, and Information Governance. The new contracting arrangements are based on a rollover of the previous MSK contracting arrangements/schedules which the provider has already satisfied/complied with to a high standard, and so the provider will highly likely to be able to satisfy the new contract to a sufficient standard. This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by 24th July 2024. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR. The Commissioner made the decision of directly awarding the incumbent provider Dr K Lothe and Partners LLP in accordance with the following five criteria outlined in Regulation (9) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. • Quality and innovation • Value • Integration, collaboration, and service sustainability • Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice • Social value It has been advised that Dr K Lothe and Partners LLP has the evidenced ability to deliver the activity required to meet service requirements within the required region and that can deliver to the tight timescale. A direct award to Dr K Lothe and Partners LLP would be appropriate and present the best value for the Commissioner in this circumstance. No declared conflicts or potential conflicts of interest were identified during the decision-making process. Representations should be sent to scwcsu.cbprocurement@nhs.net.