Phlebotomy and Anti Coagulation services

Phlebotomy and Anti Coagulation services
Update 25 February 2014
In 2012 Local Involvement Networks (LINKs) produced a report on The Phlebotomy
service which highlighted that the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) had received
several negative comments about the length of time patients had to wait to be
seen and patients have found that there are not enough chairs in the waiting
area. See report here: http://www.greenwichccg.nhs.uk/AboutUs/PublishingImages/Pages/Tenders-procurement-andcontracting/LINKs%20January%202012%20Outreach%20Report.pdf
The decision to re-procure the service via Any Qualified Provider (AQP) was
decided due to these comments and was made in conjunction with QEH who
were concerned about increasing patient numbers and the effect on safety,
overcrowding, waiting times and also in response to patient feedback which
mirrored these concerns.
Patients would like services closer to home. The current experience of hospital
services for routine blood giving or tests for blood clotting is not positive – the
hospital is very busy with patients who have to attend and so a community based
service would be better. It is likely that you will be able to continue to go to QEH
if you choose to as we expect them to continue to be a provider.
The change-over of the anticoagulation clinic will happen over a number of
months for current service users. New users will be given a choice of provider
from 1st April 2014. You will be able to choose where you go e.g. your GP,
hospital, pharmacist or dentist
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is the current contract with Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) being
terminated?
The contract with QEH will not be terminated. QEH will continue to provide
phlebotomy services for patients using hospital transport and for in- patients.
For anti-coagulation services, QEH will continue to provide hospital based anticoagulation services and are able to submit a bid to provide community
based anti-coagulation services.
2. When was it decided to change the Phlebotomy/anti coagulation Service
delivery model?
NHS Greenwich CCG decided to change the service model in 09/2013 in
response to concerns raised by QEH over the demands on their service.
3. What are the reasons for changing the current delivery model from a
hospital based service to one located in the community e.g. demand
from patients, experience elsewhere in the NHS, cost?
The decision was made in conjunction with QEH who were concerned about
increasing patient numbers and the effect on safety, overcrowding, waiting
times and also in response to patient feedback which mirrored these
concerns.
We have also been working with the Anti-Coagulation clinic at QEH to move
stable AF patients into the community with the community service provided
through Any Qualified Provider. This will result in more providers delivering
the service closer to people’s homes or workplace with increased choice of
clinic times. This is in line with national and local policy to deliver services
closer to home where this is safe and appropriate to do so. Patients who are
not clinically stable will continue to be seen at the hospital.
4. Why are you going out to tender?
We decided that to have a range of providers across Greenwich would give
many points of access for patients, which could improve access and
convenience. Also the pressure on hospital services would be reduced. We
have invited any provider who is qualified to apply and any of them who can
demonstrate that they can meet the quality standards will be able to offer
services. Not all providers will be paid the same price tariff.
5. Have you held discussions with the holders (i.e. QEH and GPs) of the
current delivery contract re new service delivery model and if so when did
these discussions take place?
Discussions have been taking place since summer 2013, and specifically
between September and December 2013, latterly with the management of the
QEH pathology department.
6. Have you advertised for submissions of Expressions of Interest in
bidding for the contract?
In line with its legal obligations, NHS Greenwich CCG advertised the tender in
the national Supply2Health website (http://nww.supply2health . nhs. uk. In
addition to this we directed local NHS GP and Pharmacy Contractors to the
advert and ran two training sessions, open to any interested providers, but
aimed at ensuring that local NHS providers understood and were able to
submit high quality bids.
7. What is the value of the contract?
The value of the contract is likely to be commensurate with the value of the
previous arrangements, however given that the new model will make access
to phlebotomy services much easier for patients both in terms of choice of
location and clinic times, patient numbers might well increase which would be
a cost pressure rather than a saving.
8. What is the proposed term for the new contract?
2 years with the option of a further 12 months.
9. Has Healthwatch Greenwich been involved?
Healthwatch Greenwich is represented on the Procurement Committee,
which approves the CCGs procurements and oversees the procurement
process. This procurement will result in improved access, shorter waits, more
flexible clinic times and a choice of provider and QEH will continue to provide
a phlebotomy service.
10. Has there been any public engagement?
In July 2013 we held an event jointly with the Greenwich Action Voluntary
Service (GAVS) to discuss our commissioning intentions for 2014 to which
over 30 voluntary community groups attended. The CCG offered a
presentation and discussion on commissioning Intentions .
At this event we discussed the change in Phlebotomy and Anti-Coagulation
services. The patients representative, Healthwatch are part of the evaluation
team assessing against national and local criteria. Each provider application
must meet this range of criteria to be included in the AQP scheme.
Once the service providers have been named there will be a range of
communication methods using media, leaflets, GP surgeries and pharmacies
to advise and inform Greenwich residents of the varied options now open to
them.
Stakeholder engagement with new and existing providers, members of the
public, clinicians and other service users will occur at key points in the service
review and procurement processes.
11. How do the performance requirements in the proposed contract differ
from the current service requirements?
There is no reduction in the performance requirements and there are
enhanced service requirements in the new service, particularly around access
and reporting. In securing services under the AQP process, assurance of
competence, quality and safety standards is required. Any provider will be
eligible to join the qualified provider list subject to demonstrating competency
against specified criteria.
12. What penalties for failure to perform are included in the proposed
contract?
The proposed contract is the NHS Standard Contract 2014/15 which is
available at;
http://www.england.nhs.uk/nhs-standard-contract/
Details of penalties for failure are those defined in the NHS Standard
Contract.

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