Rheumatology Services

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (“SCFT”) (the “Authority”) sought a provider to deliver additional consultant-led outpatient capacity for its Rheumatology Service at Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital (“BWMH”), following the expiry of the previous insourcing arrangement. Consultant capacity from University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust had reduced considerably, increasing waiting times and clinical risk to patients.

This is an insourcing arrangement: the provider's consultant delivers clinics from within SCFT's own service at BWMH, using SCFT's own booking, reception and clinical systems (SystmOne), rather than patients being referred out to an external pathway. The service covers face-to-face new and follow-up patient clinics, review of medical notes, dictation and typing of outcome letters, management of diagnostic tests, and monthly performance review meetings, operating a minimum of four clinic days a month, in support of the 18-week Referral to Treatment standard and NICE guidelines.

The procurement was a further competition under the NHS Workforce Alliance Insourced Services to Support the Provision of Healthcare Services Framework Agreement (RM6276), within the rheumatology service line, conducted in accordance with the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (“PSR 2023”). The contract term covers 2026/27, until 31st March 2027, with an option to extend for a further 12 months at the Authority's sole discretion.

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (the “Authority”) conducted a competitive further competition procurement for an insourcing arrangement to provide consultant-led outpatient rheumatology clinic capacity at Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital, under the NHS Workforce Alliance Insourced Services to Support the Provision of Healthcare Services Framework Agreement (RM6276), rheumatology service line. Consultant capacity from University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust had reduced to two clinics a week against ongoing demand of 8 to 15 referrals a week, increasing waiting times and clinical risk.

The appointed supplier delivers additional outpatient clinics from within the Authority's own service, using the Authority's own booking, reception and clinical systems (SystmOne), for a minimum of four clinic days a month, each set with 6 new patient slots and 8 follow-up slots, to support the 18-week Referral to Treatment standard, NICE guidelines, and the prioritisation of urgent cases. The provider's responsibilities include face-to-face clinics, review of medical notes, dictation and typing of outcome letters, management of diagnostic tests, and monthly performance review meetings, all delivered to CQC standards and in accordance with the Authority's clinical and information governance policies.

The procurement was conducted in accordance with the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The contract term covers 2026/27, until 31st March 2027, with an option for the Authority to extend by a further 12 months.