PRJ-1269-SEL ICB- Bromley GP Direct Access Community Cardiology Diagnostic Service MEQ

NHS South East London Integrated Care Board invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) and the completion of a Market Engagement Questionnaire from all suitable providers who are capable of delivering the required Bromley GP Led Community Cardiology Diagnostic Service or who wish to provide feedback on the Authority's proposals.

NHS SEL ICB Bromley is seeking feedback to inform the procurement of Bromley GP Led Community Cardiology Diagnostic Service. An Information and Soft Market Testing Questionnaire and the detailed Service Specification can be downloaded one interest is expressed.

Summary of the Service:
The Service provides Bromley GPs with sufficient capacity to deliver all GP led ECGs, 24-Hour ECGs, and 24-Hour BPM. The service allows GPs to request simple ECG, remote monitoring ECG and Blood Pressure Monitoring. This means that no GP requested cardiology diagnostics activity will be performed in the local hospital setting. The service is open to adults and children, registered with a Bromley GP.

GPs will be provided, by the cardiology diagnostics provider, with the following equipment, which is replaced as and when required, and with any associated consumables free of charge to general practice.
• Static simple 12 lead ECG
• Mobile ECG monitor
• Mobile Blood Pressure Monitor (BPM)
• AF Monitor

The service is provided in practices and practice hubs (receiving referrals from practices that do not deliver the service). Hub practices are selected based on a range of criteria including location, patient transport options, parking, physical building access and commitment to deliver extended hours.

Aims and Objectives of the Service:
1. To provide safe, efficient, responsive, comprehensive and effective cardiology diagnostics services which meet National guidelines, accreditation requirements and statutory regulations.
2. To provide an expert diagnostic service, delivering ECG and BPM investigations and the reporting and interpretation of these cardiology related diagnostic tests.
3. To perform all GPs requested simple ECG, remote monitoring ECG and Blood Pressure Monitoring in GP practices.
4. To allow GPs access to prompt ECG and BPM testing and interpretation.
5. To allow patients to access diagnostic services closer to home in their local community.
6. To facilitate an improved patient experience by reducing anxiety, as tests can be undertaken immediately or within a few days of referral, with results available shortly after.
7. To help patients avoid unnecessary hospital attendances.
8. To enable GPs to more effectively manage their patients in Primary Care or to refer patients to secondary care with the appropriate diagnostic investigations already completed.
9. To potentially deliver the shortest pathway possible, compatible with best outcomes for patients.
10. To provide a swift confirmed diagnosis which enables management care plans to be produced in primary care.
11. To ensure that the provision of the ECG Telehealth and mobile Blood Pressure monitoring service across Bromley are conducted consistently and effectively through achieving a set of agreed core standards, performance indicators and reporting arrangements.
12. To provide a flexible and appropriate service that responds to changes in patient care and organisational requirements.
13. To provide a joined-up cardiology diagnostic service which works seamlessly with GPs, the service provider and the ICB.
14. To provide a quality and clinically safe service reporting service supported by the necessary experienced staff and processes.
15. To provide a rapid turnaround of quality assured results and interpretative reports.


This contract is due to expire on 31/03/2024 and NHS South East London is seeking expressions of interest from capable suppliers ahead of launching a procurement process to determine the service provider for the services from 01/04/2024.

The contract value is expected to be £350,000 per annum and £1,750,000 over 5 years (proposed initial contract term of 3 years with the option to extend for a further 2 years). The contract value is inclusive of all costs incurred by the provider to deliver the requirements of the service specification.

Interested providers are requested to express an interest in this project, to then download, complete and upload the Market Engagement Questionnaire on the ProContract e-procurement portal before the 14th July 16:00 GMT. The deadline for any clarification questions is 7th July 2023 12:00 (noon GMT).

This Market Engagement process is being managed by the Procurement & Contracting Hub (hosted by NHS North East London) on behalf of NHS South East London.