Expressions of Interest for the provision of Derby and Derbyshire Community Ophthalmology Triage and Treatment Service

NHS Arden & Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit (NHS Arden & GEM CSU) on behalf of NHS Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (referred to as the Commissioner) are inviting Expressions of Interest from suitably qualified providers to express their interest in delivering the Derby and Derbyshire Community Ophthalmology Triage and Treatment Service. The Commissioners are inviting the market to express their interest in the future delivery of these services and seeking feedback from the market on the proposed service specification to help inform future commissioning approaches.

Potential providers interested in this service are requested to complete the soft market testing questionnaire. The aim of this expression of interest is to assess the markets interest, capacity and capability of delivering the provision of Community Ophthalmology Triage and Treatment services across the Derby and Derbyshire Integrated Care Board (DDICB) footprint.

The ICB's preference is for a single / lead provider model, with locations both in the north and south of Derbyshire, to manage patients in a Community setting. The 'Community Ophthalmology Triage and Treatment Service' will comprise of 2 elements covering the DDICB area:

• Community Triage & Treatment Service based in the north and south – for the north, based in one or more locations of which at least one is in the centre of Chesterfield and for the south, based in one or more locations of which at least one is in Derby City centre. This element of The Service includes: desktop triage, assessment and treatment according to pathways/guidance within The Service, or onward referral to Hospital Eye Services (HES)/other provider for patients' ongoing treatment needs.

• A virtual triage service for the High Peak and Glossop areas – no specific base is required as this is a virtual service. This element of the service includes: desktop (virtual) triage and onward referral to commissioned community providers for assessment, and treatment or onward referral to HES/other provider for patients' ongoing treatment needs.

There are approximately 14,000 referrals for triage and treat per year, and approximately 1,600 referrals for virtual triage High Peak and Glossop per year. It is currently anticipated the contract will be for a 3-year term with the ICB having an option to extend for up to a further 2 years.

The estimated total contract value included in section II.1.5 is therefore based on a maximum 5-year contract term. The full descriptions and details of these services can be found within the published draft specification (available via the Atamis e-tendering portal on the link below).

The aim of this Expression of Interest is to; 1. Allow the market visibility of the proposed opportunity 2.

To inform the DDICB decision-making process for the potential future commissioning of the Community Ophthalmology Triage Services. 3. To help refine the future commissioning and procurement approach. 4.

To gauge the level of interest from the market of capable providers with capacity to deliver, maintain and strengthen services across Derbyshire as illustrated in the draft service specification. 5. To invite feedback from potential providers/the market on the draft service specification.

As part of this advert, and to facilitate the above, the commissioner will be requesting providers to complete and submit a market engagement questionnaire (available via the e-tendering portal). To register your expression of interest and to complete the questionnaire, please use the following link and Project reference: Link: https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome.

Project Reference: C391738. The deadline for Expressions of Interest responses is by 17:00 on 24th October 2025.

Please note, any and all information/documents that are made available as part of this engagement exercise is draft and subject to change. This Prior Information Notice relates to a service/contract in scope of the Provider Selection Regime (PSR).

Any future Procurement / Provider Selection Process conducted will be subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Procurement Act Regulations 2023 will not apply.