Lymphoedema Service

The current pilot service commenced November 2016 offering Lymphoedema treatment/self-care advice by a team of Complementary Therapists, non-registered staff trained to British Lymphology Society (BLS) standards in treatment/management of Lymphoedema including measuring, fitting of hosiery and lymphatic drainage.

NHS Norwich CCG (Coordinating Commissioner) with NHS North Norfolk & South Norfolk CCGs intend to commission a Complementary Primary Care led Lymphoedema Service with a provider to work with the CCGs and local health system to provide an easily accessible service that improves equity of access, promotes early intervention, limits disease progression, reduces need for time-consuming intensive therapy and lowers hospital admission rates for cellulitis.

Locally delivered the scope will cover those registered with practices in the stated CCGs localities, focusing on prevention, assessment, diagnosis and treatment of Lymphoedema to deliver a service that is Service User focused adaptable to local needs, delivers on prevention of admission to hospital based care, clinical effectiveness outcomes and supports independence of individuals.

The service will not cover children/young people (0-16 years of age) who will be seen within child specific services.

Patients presenting with active cellulitis or an open wound will also be out of scope.

The new contract will start 1 April 2018 under the NHS Standard Contract for 3 years.

The service aims to improve patient experience and quality of life for those living with and beyond cancer/cancer treatment, and for those with Lymphoedema where lymphatic failure is a result of an otherwise normal lymphatic system.

The proposed service will release outpatient capacity, reduce the number/duration of hospital admissions or attendances for complications of Lymphoedema.

The NHS must develop new ways of delivering care to consider changing patient needs and improve productivity/efficiency to bridge an estimated financial gap.

NHS organisations need to work with local system to break down barriers between services, tackle waste and variations in care.

Sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) are place-based plans for improving health and care services that set out how the NHS five year forward view will be delivered locally, a shift away from focus on competition to improve health services and instead focus on NHS organisations to collaborate with each other/local partners.

Local service delivery challenges have been experienced from increased demand, the need to change the way care is delivered in accordance with the local STP to ease pressures on acute services and increase community provision, and due to difficulties from a shortage of individuals with specialist skills working in this area to undertake the role.

As the anticipated new contract value is below the legislative competition OJEU threshold, Commissioners have decided to undertake a limited competitive Request For Quotation/ Proposal (RFQ/RFP).