Procurement description
This framework is for the provision of a centralised advice and repeat prescription hub for patients with a stoma or long-term catheter, and a pre- and/or post-operative care support service to support stoma patients.
The prescription hub will take responsibility for patients' on-going prescriptions and deal with any identified issues to prevent care escalation, removing responsibility from GPs behalf within participating ICSs. This will be supported by specialist nurses who would be able to offer advice, repeat prescriptions and urgent response to support patients, as well as annual reviews. The pre- and/or post-operative care support would include care for stoma patients pre- and/or post-operation, as required by the Participating Authority.
Using specialist nurses as part of this prescription service gives easier access for patients to specialists who are best able to support with any problems and also with finding the best appliances/equipment for them to improve their quality of life. Centralising the system allows for prescription guidance to be applied consistently and ensure items issued are cost-effective and the quantities supplied are in line with the patients' clinical needs. It also frees up GP time and would be expected to reduce complications through more regular patient interactions, all of which should deliver both cost reductions and improvements for patients.
The provision will be split into five Lots:
Lot 1 - Stoma Prescription Service
Lot 2 - Catheter Prescription Service
Lot 3 - Stoma and Catheter Combined Prescription Service
Lot 4 - Stoma Pre- and/or Post-Operative Care Support
Lot 5 - Combined (Lots 2 and 4)
This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Contract Notice. The awarding of this framework agreement is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 and he Health Services (Provider Selection Regime) (Wales) Regulations 2025. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award.
"Relevant authority" is defined in section 12ZB(7) of the National Health Service Act 2006 and in section 10A(9) of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006. It means a combined authority, an integrated care board, a local authority in England, NHS England, an NHS foundation trust or an NHS trust established under section 25 of that Act, a county council or county borough council in Wales, a local health board established under section 11 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006, a National Health Service trust established under section 18 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006, or a special health authority established under section 22 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006.
For the avoidance of doubt, any successor bodies of any of the above entities shall be entitled to place Orders and shall be deemed Relevant Authorities for the purposes of this Framework Agreement.
The Term of this Framework Agreement shall be four (4) years from the Commencement Date.
The Framework will be open to new Providers, and existing Providers looking to expand their service offering, throughout the term of the Framework under Regulation 13 of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.