--- title: "East Kent - Rheumatology Service - Market engagement" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-b4e85432-57dc-4598-ae1a-3f1a93869d69" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-b4e85432-57dc-4598-ae1a-3f1a93869d69" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b4e85432-57dc-4598-ae1a-3f1a93869d69.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b4e85432-57dc-4598-ae1a-3f1a93869d69.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "N E L COMMISSIONING SUPPORT UNIT" published: "2018-01-25" --- # East Kent - Rheumatology Service - Market engagement Buyer: N E L COMMISSIONING SUPPORT UNIT Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-b5fd17-b4e85432-57dc-4598-ae1a-3f1a93869d69 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-b4e85432-57dc-4598-ae1a-3f1a93869d69) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b4e85432-57dc-4598-ae1a-3f1a93869d69.json) ## Summary The N E L Commissioning Support Unit is initiating a market engagement process for the East Kent Rheumatology Service, focusing on Tier 2 advanced practitioner-led services. This engagement is currently in the planning stage, with a key milestone being the engagement end date set for 23 February 2018. Interested suppliers are encouraged to attend a market engagement event on 21 September 2017 at the Channel Suite, Ramada Hotel, Whitfield, Dover, Kent CT16 3EL. This initiative falls under the health services category, aiming to enhance patient management and care coordination. This tender presents an opportunity for businesses specialising in healthcare services, particularly those with expertise in advanced nursing and therapeutic practices for rheumatology. Companies that offer innovative approaches to managing non-complex rheumatology cases, including telehealth solutions and patient education programmes, would be particularly well-suited to compete. Participation in this market engagement could pave the way for successful collaboration with NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups in the East Kent area, ultimately supporting business growth through potential service contracts. ## Notice The Commissioner (the four NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups of East Kent - NHS South Kent Coast CCG, NHS Thanet CCG, NHS Ashford CCG, and NHS Canterbury and Coastal CCG) is seeking to engage with organisations who are potentially interested in providing a Tier 2 Rheumatology Service. Background The provision of the Tiers of Care approach is defined as: Tier 1 - Primary Care Tier 2 - Advanced Practitioner led (nursing and therapies) with or without GPwSI Tier 3 - Consultant (Secondary Care) Requirement The Tier 2 service will be led by a Nurse Consultant and Therapy Consultant, using a clinical systems leadership approach and delivered by a team of nurses and therapists working at an advanced level. The function of the provider will be to ensure a seamless service for rheumatology patients who have non-complex disease. Routine follow up work will be minimised and alternative review methods such as telephone consultations offered. All patients will be offered a comprehensive annual review to reduce co-morbidities and complications of disease. The patients and health care professionals will have access to an advice line with an expected 24 hour response time which will support patient self-management. Access to urgent joint injections and flare treatments will be provided within 24 hours. The provider will work very closely with Tier 1 to ensure safe and 'joined up' up care. The service will also provide a triage mechanism for new referrals, which will reduce inappropriate appointments and unnecessary delays in treatment for patients. The emphasis is on self-management strategies for this group of patients through structured education sessions delivered by the Tier 2 Service which will be achieved by working closely with national charities and patients support organisations. Engagement The Commissioner would like to consider approaches from interested providers and those experienced in this field to test the viability of the draft service specification and to consider the procurement options. To this end the Commissioner is holding a Market Engagement Event in the Channel Suite, Ramada Hotel, Whitfield, Dover, Kent CT16 3EL from 1pm to 4pm on 21 September 2017. Potential providers should register their interest in attending the event using the contact details below. We ask that no more than 3 representatives are sent from each interested organisation. Additional information: This early engagement does not commit the Commissioner to undertake any subsequent procurement process for the service. Participation or non-participation in this early engagement does not entitle, commit, or disbar any provider from participating in any subsequent procurement process for the service. Any subsequent procurement for the service will be advertised separately as appropriate. Any provider wishing to participate in any subsequent procurement for the service will need to respond to any subsequent notice as appropriate. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f3210413-0fa1-48d3-811d-a297ba5ec5b6 | | Notice type | Market Engagement Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Not specified | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 25 Jan 2018 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 23 Feb 2018 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Cancelled | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | N E L COMMISSIONING SUPPORT UNIT | | Locality | DOVER | | Post town | Canterbury | | Postcode | CT16 3PJ | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLJ South East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLJ4 Kent | | ITL 3 | TLJ44 East Kent | | Local authority | Dover | | Electoral ward | Whitfield | | Westminster constituency | Dover and Deal | | Delivery location | TLJ South East (England) | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 85 - Health and social work services ### Codes - 85100000 - Health services ## Release History - 25 Jan 2018 at 15:32 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f3210413-0fa1-48d3-811d-a297ba5ec5b6 - 5 Sep 2017 at 14:55 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/bfd590ec-39e2-493b-9e69-4d14c0e364b2 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/f3210413-0fa1-48d3-811d-a297ba5ec5b6 25th January 2018 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/bfd590ec-39e2-493b-9e69-4d14c0e364b2 5th September 2017 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder ## Notice URLs - http://www.southkentcoastccg.nhs.uk ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-b4e85432-57dc-4598-ae1a-3f1a93869d69. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-b4e85432-57dc-4598-ae1a-3f1a93869d69.json.