Community Cardiology - Surrey Downs

Concepts

• cardiology services
• woking
• surrey downs
• surrey heartlands icb
• surrey heartlands
• community cardiology - surrey downs
• surrey
• downs
• cardiology
• community

Location

Woking

Description

This is a community cardiology service covering Surrey Downs. The diagnostic service is for Direct Access activity which includes: Simple ECG's, Ambulatory ECGs 24, 48 and 72 hours, and Simple Echocardiogram.

Total Quantity or Scope

This is a community cardiology service covering Surrey Downs. The diagnostic service is for Direct Access activity which includes: Simple ECG's, Ambulatory ECGs 24, 48 and 72 hours, and Simple Echocardiogram. Surrey Heartlands ICB intends to award GPHP a contract following a PSR Direct Award Process C. The approximate lifetime value of the contract will be £1.1m over the 2 year term, from 1st April 2024 until 31st March 2026.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85121231 - Cardiology services

Indicators

• Award on basis of price.

Legal Justification

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) contract award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act Regulations 2023 do not apply to this award.

Other Information

This contract is awarded via Direct Award Process C, in accordance with The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 (PSR). The authority confirms the provider delivered the prior contract to a consistently high standard and no material changes have been made in the renewed contracting arrangement. Against the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Key Criteria, GPHP has demonstrated expertise and is anticipated to continue doing so. Evidence of current service delivery against the PSR Key Criteria and the breakdown of Key Criteria weighting in relation to this service for the purposes of awarding a contract under Direct Award C is detailed below Quality & Innovation (25%) GP Health Partners Limited (GPHP) community cardiology service model supports early diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease using non-invasive, NICE-compliant simple ECG's, Ambulatory ECGs 24, 48 and 72 hours, and Simple Echocardiogram. • The service supports early detection of conditions like atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and coronary heart disease, many of which are underdiagnosed in the Surrey Downs area. • Innovation is embedded in GPHP's approach through trained staff performing ECGs which ensuring accuracy and safety. Reports are interpreted by a responsible clinician enabling swift informed decisions. • Direct referral and booking by the provider stream lines access and reduces delays. Integration, Collaboration & Sustainability (25%) • This model of community cardiology care supports sustainability and system resilience. During peak elective recovery periods the community service can support equitable access, particularly for underserved cohorts such as older adults, those with long-term conditions, and patients in rural or transport-challenged areas • The cardiology service complements collaborative working by providing multidisciplinary teams inclusive of trained technicians, responsible clinicians and GPs who all work together to deliver high-quality diagnostics and follow-up care. Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice (15%) • GPHPs ECG service enhances access to specialist cardiology care by providing appointments locally, including flexible scheduling options, reduced waiting times, and easier accessibility for patients who may experience barriers to attending hospital-based services. • By delivering local provision of ECG appointments with flexible scheduling, the service helps to reduce hospital burden by shifting diagnostics to community settings, alleviating pressure on secondary care, shortening waiting lists and improving accessibility for patients facing barriers to hospital-based care. • The service offers choice and convenience, contributing to better engagement and earlier identification of progression risks. • Appointments delivered within the community enable earlier interventions and better long-term health outcomes for patients, particularly those with mobility challenges or in underserved areas. This aligns with NHS goals to reduce health inequalities and promote fairer access. Value (25%) • GPHP demonstrates value for money by enabling ECGs and echocardiogram to be carried out in a community setting which will allow faster decision-making by GPs. • Convenient access to local clinics for patients will reduce the patients travel and wait times and ensure access across diverse populations, including underserved or remote areas. • GPHP can demonstrate system wide value and savings as the clinics support preventive care by identifying risks before symptoms escalate. Reduction in unnecessary referrals to secondary care generates cost efficiencies Social Value (10%) • GPHP Community cardiology service contributes significantly to social value in alignment with NHS England's Social Value Model and the ICB's commitment to community-based, patient-centred care. • The service offers improved local access to ECG testing, reducing the need for hospital visits and associated patient travel, which lowers carbon emissions and supports environmental sustainability. • GPHP recruits, trains, and retains local staff, contributing to employment, skill development, and economic sustainability within the Surrey Downs area. The organisation also fosters collaboration with local primary care services and integrates care pathways to reduce demand on acute settings. This supports the broader system's resilience and encourages partnership working across the ICS. • Through regular patient feedback, GPHP continues to shape the service to meet community needs, enhancing patient experience and empowerment. Their person-centred approach helps address wider determinants of health while ensuring care is safe, timely, and effective. • GPHP contributes to the ICB's sustainability agenda reducing reliance on high-cost acute services and supporting the NHS's Net Zero commitments through reduced patient travel and emissions. Governance and Decision-Making Approval: The contract award was approved by the NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB Commissioning, Contracting & Commercial (CCC) Committee on 22nd October 2024 and approved by Executive Board in line with the authority's governance processes. Conflicts of Interest: All Decision-Making Forums requested that Conflicts of Interest be declared in order to accommodate mitigations that may be required. No declarations were raised. Individuals working on the programme declared no interests for the duration. Standstill Period and Regulatory Context: This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act Regulations 2023 do not apply to this award. Written representations should be sent to robert.kitt1@nhs.net