NHS Leeds CCGs: Direct Access Endoscopy and Gastroenterology Services AQP

NHS Leeds West CCG, NHS Leeds North CCG and NHS Leeds South and East CCG wish to contract with providers on an AQP (Any Qualified Provider) basis to provide Direct Access Endoscopy (Gastroscopy and Flexible Sigmoidoscopy) Services (Lot 1) and Gastroenterology and Colonoscopy Services (Lot2) for patients registered with a Leeds GP practice. The services are offered in two lots and providers may apply for either Lot 1, or Lots 1 & 2. The Commissioners require the above services from providers with staff qualified to appropriate levels of skill and experience, the ability to integrate with the E-Referral System, the ability to integrate secondary care image exchange systems, robust performance management systems and stringent levels of clinical governance. The provider must have access to suitably equipped and quality assured premises and be able to mobilise within three months. It is expected that the successful applicant will either be able to or be working towards submission of activity data via Secondary Uses Service (SUS) and to be able to or working towards integration with primary care information systems. The service specification and the electronic application form can be found online at www.nhssourcing.co.uk . Applications will be accepted from current providers and new applicants wishing to provide the services for Leeds patients. The successful providers will be required to sign the NHS Standard Contract for the service, accepting all terms and conditions. The services will be commissioned using the Any Qualified Provider process under which assurance of competence, quality and safety standards is required. Providers will be eligible to join the qualified provider list subject to demonstrating competency against specified criteria. Activity will be paid at National Tariff rates and it is expected that this will include the price of any pre-procedure preparations. A CQUIN scheme will be available. It should be noted that under the AQP model, there will be no guarantees of volume payments in the contract award. The commissioners will require mobilisation of services within three months after contract award