Shared Care 2018

North Somerset Council would like to invite local primary care providers to quote for the responsibility of prescribing opiate substitution medication (i.e. methadone or buprenorphine) as part of the North Somerset Shared Care Scheme. The successful bidder (hereafter the successful bidder will be referred to as the Provider) will produce opiate substitution prescriptions on behalf of those North Somerset GP practices that are willing to provide access (via a digital platform) to the medical records of relevant patient (the number of willing practices is expected to be 21). The Provider will be supported by and work in partnership with the North Somerset Substance Misuse Service.

Shared Care will continue, as it always has, to be delivered through partnership between the local specialist treatment service and primary care (the Provider). The specialist treatment service will undertake the face-to-face activity with patients/service users and it will recommend/guide the Provider in relation to the prescribing of opiate substitution medication.
The Provider will: generate opiate substitution prescriptions (methadone or buprenorphine), ensure these prescriptions arrive at the relevant pharmacies, update patient records in relation to this prescribing activity, and conduct reviews (using patient medical records [face-to-face reviews will be conducted by the specialist treatment service]) of this medication. It is important to note that this activity relates only to individuals/patients engaged in the North Somerset Shared Care Scheme.

Bidders should consult the attached service specification for the details of what will be expected in providing this service, however some key elements are listed below:

• The contract will operate from (and including) the 1 April 2018 to (and including) 31 March 2018.
• The Provider will be expected to generate all relevant prescriptions (i.e. all methadone and buprenorphine prescriptions for individuals engaged in the North Somerset Shared Care Scheme, where the individuals registered practice has permitted access to their patient records).
• The Provider will be expected to keep all patient records up to date.
• The Provider will be expected to prepare for and attend quarterly performance meetings with the Council.
• Payments will be made to the Provider on a monthly in arrears basis.
If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please download documents, complete and return your response via the www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk portal.

New Contract Commencing: 1 April 2018
Contract Term: 12 Months
Please submit via the portal by: 13:00 on 28th February 2018