AQP for Acute Elective Surgery to the Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Bath & North East Somerset CCG areas

Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Bath & North East Somerset Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) wish to commission Acute Elective Surgery services service in line with national guidance and local requirements from suitably qualified healthcare providers. All existing providers should re-apply to continue providing this service from 01 November 2015 via the AQP route.

All providers that wish to submit an application form, whether existing or new providers, must read the attached documents (available on the In-Tend website). Via the Any Qualified Provider (AQP) method, the CCGs wish to deliver high quality, value for money Acute Elective Surgery for NHS Patients in accordance with Good Clinical Practice.

Providers will be responsible for delivering an integrated pathway to include outpatients, diagnostics and surgical procedures as either a day case or inpatient elective service. The CCGs wish to maintain and improve access to a range of innovative Acute Elective Surgeries, thereby improving NHS Patients’ free choice of Provider and control over their care and treatment.

In doing so, the CCGs expect Providers to achieve agreed referral to treatment waiting times, and greater choice of care for patients. In securing services under the AQP process, assurance of competence, quality and safety standards will be required.

Qualified providers will be expected to deliver the service under the NHS Standard Contract. As a qualified provider there will be no levels of guaranteed activity, with payment made based on actual provision.

It is anticipated that, subject to accreditation, providers will be eligible to provide services from November 2015. Providers will be accredited for a 3 year period, subject to any additional extensions as appropriate. Accreditation submissions must be received no later than the reply by date of 14 July 2015 at 12 noon