Community Ophthalmology Service

Location

Dorchester

Description

The services to be provided for under this contract are Community Ophthalmology Services. This notice is an intention to award a contract under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) most suitable provider process.The approximate lifetime value of the contract is £1,058,852 for a term of 6 months from 01 April 2026 plus an extension option of 3+3 months with an additional total value of £1,058,852.This is and existing service and existing provider.This contract is required, to maintain continuity of care while a full competitive procurement is undertaken.

Award Detail

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 85121281 - Ophthalmologist services

Indicators

• Award on basis of price.

Legal Justification

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to 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 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by 30 June 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR'.

Other Information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to 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 Procurement Act Regulations 2023 do not apply to this award. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by midnight on Tuesday 30 June 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.Representations should be sent to: performanceandplanning@nhsdorset.nhs.ukThe decision to award this contract was made by relevant decision makers under the organisation's Standing Financial Instructions. No declarations of interest were identified or made during the award process.Dorset ICB used the following five key criteria: Quality and Innovation, Value, Integration and Sustainability, Access and Inequalities, and Social Value. The highest weighting was given to Quality and Innovation, alongside Integration and Value, reflecting the need to ensure safe, high quality care, system alignment, and financial sustainability.Community Health Eye Care Ltd (CHEC) demonstrated strong and consistent performance across all criteria. CHEC delivers high quality, guideline compliant care with evidenced improvements in access, outcomes, and patient experience, while safely shifting activity from acute settings into the community. The provider offers a cost effective model at locally agreed rates, reducing system pressures and supporting overall value. CHEC’s established service aligns with NHS strategic priorities, integrates effectively across the Dorset system, improves access and patient choice through multiple local sites, and contributes to reducing health inequalities. It also delivers wider social value through community based provision and collaboration with local providers. On this basis, CHEC is considered to provide the optimal balance of quality, value, integration, and accessibility, and is therefore the most suitable provider to ensure continuity and stability of services pending full procurement.