North, Central & South Manchester and Trafford CCG commissioners are seeking responses from viable providers who can work effectively across primary, secondary and tertiary care.

Assurance of competence, quality, innovation and safety standards are required.

An additional commissioner may join the tender process – this will be confirmed at publication of the contract notice.

We wish to commission a high quality, comprehensive and efficient community-based macular service to commence in August 2016.

The service will primarily treat wet Age-related Macular Degeneration but also Diabetic Macular Oedema and Retinal Vein Occlusion.

We expect the service to demonstrate the following: o A single clinical team, which is consultant led, with clear clinical objectives and an open and transparent audit and performance management framework o A service operating within NICE and Royal College of Ophthalmologist guidance in order to deliver best clinical outcomes by ensuring early first injection and subsequent assured treatment to plan o Clear clinical, patient experience and value for money outcomes jointly monitored by the providers and commissioners o A local accessible service o Educated and informed patients with care plans that they understand o Full shared decision making, particularly around the decision to continue or cease treatment o Streamlined attendances with as average time in the department of <30 minutes o A single integrated team o A shift from a consultant delivered service to one which is consultant-led, but is largely delivered by other suitably qualified clinicians such as specialist nurses and/or optometrists o Ensuring prompt initial treatment and timely treatment to plan beyond that to minimise visual impairment and blindness o The CCGs are currently considering introducing Oraya Therapy as part of the pathway in order to reduce the average number of injections required per patient – if not at the outset then as part of innovation and development of the service.

This will be confirmed in the PQQ.

Should we include Oraya Therapy in the service the CCGs will ensure that the necessary equipment and training is available to the successful bidder who must be prepared to deliver the treatment in line with current best practice The service will be for adults (registered with a North, Central , South Manchester or Trafford CCG GP) that meet the referral criteria, who are newly diagnosed from the start of the service.

However, it is anticipated that existing macular patients may elect to receive treatment in the new service at some point in the future and the CCG s will work with existing providers to facilitate this choice offer.

We expect the service to be operational by 1st August 2016.

The contract term will be for a period of five (5) years.

The commissioners are considering introducing a requirement that all new macular patients be offered Avastin through Choice and would like to seek providers' views.