---
title: "Postgraduate higher qualifications for HEIW"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04a360"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04a360"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04a360.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04a360.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "HEALTH EDUCATION AND IMPROVEMENT WALES (HEIW)"
published: "2024-11-12"
---

# Postgraduate higher qualifications for HEIW

Buyer: HEALTH EDUCATION AND IMPROVEMENT WALES (HEIW)  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04a360

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## Summary

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) has completed a procurement process for the commissioning of postgraduate higher qualifications in optometry for the 2024-2025 period. The contract, which falls under the category of Education and Training Services (CPV code 80000000), was awarded on 23rd September 2023 to Cardiff University. This specific requirement was mandated to support the upskilling of the optometry workforce in Wales to meet the new NHS optometry contract demands. The procurement method was a limited procedure without a prior call for competition, and the award process is completed. The key milestone in this process is the delivery of qualifications including Independent Prescribing, Medical Retina, and Glaucoma certificates at Postgraduate Level 7, all critical for enhancing optometric services under a new banding system.

This contract provides substantial growth opportunities for businesses specialising in educational services at the university level, particularly those offering advanced professional qualifications. Cardiff University's unique position as the sole provider of the necessary qualifications in Wales, backed by dedicated Welsh Government funding, ensures that businesses can develop strong local collaborations and partake in a significant regional development initiative. SMEs in the education sector, consulting services, and firms with digital learning solutions tailored to postgraduate and professional upskilling can find potential engagements in supporting or augmenting Cardiff University's delivery capabilities. This alignment with workforce and economic support initiatives further enhances the growth potential for entities engaged in educational and professional training services.

## Notice

A STA is required for the commissioning of higher qualifications in optometry for the 2024-2025 period, to be delivered by Cardiff University. This is essential to support the upskilling of the optometry workforce in Wales to meet the demands of the new NHS optometry contract. Cardiff University is the sole higher education institution (HEI) in Wales offering the necessary Level 7 qualifications, ensuring accessibility and alignment with workforce needs. Other HEIs in England offer similar courses but are not eligible for Welsh Government funding, making Cardiff University uniquely positioned for this tender.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

The commissioning of higher qualifications for optometrists in Wales through a STA is required for the 2024-2025 period. This is driven by the need to upskill the optometry workforce to deliver the enhanced services under the new NHS optometry contract, which utilises a Banding system and includes additional remuneration for Independent Prescribing and other advanced services. The qualifications required include Independent Prescribing, Medical Retina, and Glaucoma certificates, among others, all of which are offered at Postgraduate Level 7. Cardiff University is uniquely positioned to deliver these courses, as it is the only higher education institution (HEI) in Wales that provides the requisite qualifications, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality training and excellent outcomes. While similar qualifications are available at HEIs in England, the funding from HEIW is exclusive to Welsh-based optometrists, making Cardiff University the only institution that can access these resources. Additionally, choosing a Welsh HEI minimises travel time and environmental impact while supporting the Welsh economy. For these reasons, Cardiff University is the only suitable provider for the timely delivery of these qualifications to meet the 2024-2025 workforce requirements and ensure compliance with the new NHS contract standards.

### Procurement Information

The commissioning of higher qualifications for optometrists in Wales through an STA is required for the 2024-2025 period. This is driven by the need to upskill the optometry workforce to deliver the enhanced services under the new NHS optometry contract, which utilises a Banding system and includes additional remuneration for Independent Prescribing and other advanced services. The qualifications required include Independent Prescribing, Medical Retina, and Glaucoma certificates, among others, all of which are offered at Postgraduate Level 7.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036524-2024 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 12 Nov 2024 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 22 Sep 2023 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £178,220 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | HEALTH EDUCATION AND IMPROVEMENT WALES (HEIW) |
| Locality | CARDIFF |
| Post town | Cardiff |
| Postcode | CF15 7QQ |
| Country | Wales |
| ITL 1 | TLL Wales |
| ITL 2 | TLL5 South East Wales |
| ITL 3 | TLL51 Central Valleys and Bridgend |
| Local authority | Rhondda Cynon Taf |
| Electoral ward | Taff's Well |
| Westminster constituency | Cardiff North |
| Delivery location | TLL Wales |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | CARDIFF UNIVERSITY |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 80 - Education and training services

### Codes

- 80000000 - Education and training services
- 80430000 - Adult-education services at university level

## Release History

- 12 Nov 2024 at 10:17 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/036524-2024
- 27 Sep 2024 at 07:46 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030892-2024

## Notice URLs

- http://nwssp.nhs.wales/ourservices/procurement-services/
- https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0221

## 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-h6vhtk-04a360. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04a360.json.