Primary Care News, Secondary Care

NHSX launches digital eyecare referral services purchasing system

NHSX has launched a new dynamic purchasing system to support healthcare providers access and adopt digital eyecare referral services.

Seven suppliers to date have been assessed and admitted to the purchasing system, following an assurance process testing their capability.

The purchasing system is to support healthcare providers run small competitions to assess bids from suppliers and then award a contract based on the qualifying criteria. The system means all suppliers will be invited to bid for any potential contract, which NHSX said ‘will support bespoke requirements to be met’.

NHSX stated, “the implementation of these systems will support the NHS with the continuation of eye care services during COVID-19, and transform how services are delivered in the future by enabling primary eye care clinicians to send electronic referrals and support secondary care services manage them efficiently.”

The referral system will also include the ability to share images and clinical findings, and digitise the pathways across different services.

The programme will run from this month to November 2024, and is open to suppliers to apply. It is managed by the National Commercial and Procurement Hub, commissioned by NHS England and NHS Improvement from South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit.

The suppliers who been assessed for the system include:

  • Accenda Limited
  • ART Healthcare Software Ltd (psHEALTH)
  • Capri Healthcare Ltd
  • East Midlands Medical Services (EMMS)
  • Monmedical Ltd (Cinapsis)
  • Primary Eyecare  Services Limited
  • ToukanEyes Limited T/A ToukanLabs

For further information visit the NHSX website here.

 

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