Provision of Imaging Services (MRI)

Description

NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Procurement Unit are issuing this Prior Information Notice on behalf of NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) who are seeking initial engagement and feedback from the market to help inform the commissioning model for the future provision of the MRI Service supporting patients from Cannock, Stafford and Surrounds and the Seisdon Peninsula of Staffordshire as the current contract is due to expire in 2025. This engagement will seek an understanding from the market of providers with experience of providing MRI services and payment models used - including those relating to the running costs of the MRI unit(s) and administrative functions of the service e.g. appointment management and processing of imaging results. It will also seek views on any opportunities where processes can be improved to maximise demand efficiencies especially in consideration of new pharmaceutical medications that are expected to increase demand. Further, it will seek from the market feedback on the draft service specification and where this could be improved to support the best outcomes for patients and best value for the NHS - this will also include positive environmental impacts e.g. location, facilities and fuel supplies to the MRI unit(s). Although the ICB is not bound to take on feedback from providers, the information shared will help support the ICB to finalise the service model that will be commissioned. The notice has been issued subject to the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) regulations 2023 for the Procurement of Healthcare Services. The ICB has not made any decisions with regards to which PSR process to follow in accordance with PSR at this time and is looking for responses that may guide their decision making in this regard for the future. The ICB welcomes provider feedback but is not bound to adopt any provider suggestions. By participating in this market engagement event the provider is agreeing to share details of their service and should identify any areas that would be commercially sensitive and not to be revealed beyond the commissioner. The current MRI service is delivered by a single provider with an estimated annual activity of 9,000 patients with an estimated 11,000 body parts scanned. It is currently provided from Cannock Civic Car Park (opposite Cannock Community Hospital). Potentially interested parties are invited to respond to the questions by 12:00 hours on Friday 10th January within Atamis project C325662 to express an interest. The service scope is detailed under the '2.4 Description of the procurement' within this notice and within the project description on Atamis project C325662. Following the response of the initial questions via the Atamis Portal, the ICB will hold a series of 1:1 sessions virtually with potential providers to gain further understanding of provider experience and feedback on the scope of the service. These sessions will be held on 15th January 2025. Times to be advised. Lot 1: NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB (SSOTICB)and Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust require a local, direct access MRI service to be provided. The MRI environment must support ease of access for patients with mobility difficulties and to transfer with or without assistance to the scanner bed. The care pathway to be commissioned shall incorporate the provision of a MRI service that meets demand flows in line with performance targets, inclusive of all running costs, the production of diagnostic investigation reports and images and so reporting and administration services must be included within the service provided. Service Aims include: • To ensure patients receive the right test at the right time and in the most clinically appropriate local setting. • To aid early diagnostics and treatments avoid the need for unnecessary further referral(s). • To ensure diagnostic testing is integrated across pathways of care, that the report and images follow the patient and that there is no unnecessary duplication of investigation. • To enable patients and referring clinicians to access a choice of provision according to patient choice, clinical need and relevant care pathway. • To ensure diagnostic tests are appropriate, necessary, clinically correct, of high quality, with timely access and reporting. • To ensure where a diagnostic study identifies possible cancer or a non-cancer serious and/or unexpected pathology, that there is a clear pathway for this group of patients and that the referrer is made aware of the potential diagnosis in line with best practice standards. • To provide an efficient and cost-effective imaging service that meets the service requirements of the commissioner(s) and has flexibility to increase/decrease capacity as reasonably required. Additional information: At this stage, this is an engagement exercise. This engagement exercise will be operated via electronic means using the internet. Details will be made available via documentation and information released on the Atamis portal. To express interest, please register via Atamis e-sourcing portal https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome. Atamis Reference: C325662. Should providers have any queries, or having problems using the portal, they should contact Helpdesk at: Phone: 0800 9956035 E-mail: support-health@atamis.co.uk Providers are requested to answer the questions within the requirement section when registering interest (via https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome ref C312131) by 12:00 hours on Friday 10th January 2025.