NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group is inviting qualified providers to express an interest to participate in commenting on the design of it's service specification for a community ophthalmology service.

NHS Dorset currently commission ophthalmology services from the Acute, Community, GPWSI and from the Private Sectors .

The core vision for the project is a service that builds upon the best practice and helps simplifying access for patients in the community and increasing the confidence that the public have in their services, by ensuring they are seen at the right level for their condition and that they can be diagnosed treated at the appropriate level of care, with onward referrals to higher levels of care being both appropriate and timely.

The CCG is working towards a pan Dorset Community Ophthalmology Service.

The CCG is currently out to consultation for a full Clinical Services Review for the population of Dorset and is working towards Integrated Community Services.

Central to this will be the development of a 'Clinical Hubs' offering patients who require it access to a wide range of clinicians, both experienced generalists and specialists.

The event will be held on Wednesday 26th April 2017 in Dorset, commencing with refreshments from 1:00pm and finishing by 4:00pm.

The event will commence with a presentation followed by an opportunity for providers to ask questions and to comment on the specification and what the CCG can do to make the implementation of the specification work for patients, providers and the CCG.

If you are interested in attending this event or are unable to attend but would like information sent to you please express your interest by completing the attached form and emailing it to procurement@dorsetccg.nhs.uk putting Ophthalmology in the subject field by no later than Monday 24th April 2017.

Participants should note that the CCG reserves the right to use any information shared within this market engagement event to develop a mature service specification for future procurement purposes.

Any costs incurred by participating in this exercise must be borne by the participating organisations.

Following this exercise the CCG shall determine how it will approach the market to secure the services.

Please note that any future procurement will be subject to a separate advertisement and participation in this market engagement event will not automatically entitle any organisation's involvement in this procurement.