Contract award notice
Results of the procurement procedure
Section I: Contracting
entity
I.1) Name and addresses
NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership-Procurement Services (hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust)
Woodland House
Cardiff
CF15 7QZ
UK
Contact person: Bethan Dyke
Telephone: +44 2921501500
E-mail: bethan.dyke@wales.nhs.uk
NUTS: UK
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://nwssp.nhs.wales/ourservices/procurement-services/
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0221
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
I.5) Main activity
Health
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Provision of Eye Care Liaison Officer
Reference number: CAV-DCO (24-25) 107
II.1.2) Main CPV code
85112200
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
This Direct Award will cover the employment of an Eye Care Liaison Officer to work within Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Ophthalmology Department.
The role of the officer includes the following:
- Supporting information to families, carers and patients
- Assisting with sight registration process
- Referral and signposting to external agencies i.e. Social Services, third sector organisations etc
- Supporting clinicians within Ophthalmology CAVUHB
- Current Sight Life employee runs their own clinic supported and overseen by Ophthalmology CAVUHB clinicians. This covers sight registration and general support.
- Covering both Paediatrics and Adult Ophthalmology
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKL
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
The Eye Care Liaison Officer employed with UHW Ophthalmology Department will be employed to deliver services in line with the Royal National Institute of Blind People Quality Framework and Practice guidelines, to people affected by sight loss, their friends, families and carers. The Officer will assist with all aspects of support and guidance to those at any stage of their sight loss journey, providing invaluable care to both Paediatric and Adult patients within the C&V Health Board areas.
The contract will be let for a three-year period plus an additional two-year extension option, via this Voluntary Ex Ante Notice, allowing for direct award to the chosen supplier.
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition
Justification for selected award procedure:
The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the Directive
Explanation
The current provider is well established, having provided this service for the Health Board for over ten years. They are a local organisation already providing support and guidance to patients with impaired vision and supporting communities within the Health Board localities.
Due to an aging population, there have been significant increases in Ocular complications and diseases. This has led to major increases in patient cohorts and demands for the Health Board. Therefore, this is an essential service support mechanism both for patients and Cardiff and Vale Clinicians, allowing them to carry out higher priority clinical activities.
The employed individual is currently a part of the service and is supporting the department with critical service tasks. To lose this provision, it would have a significant negative impact on the planned delivery of a critical service.
The Eye Care Liaison Officer already has Eye Clinic Support Studies Accreditation and meets the relevant legal requirements to undertake the service. The provision invaluable care to both Paediatric and Adult patients within the Cardiff & Vale Health Board areas, assisting the Ophthalmology team with certification and registration processes in line with Department of Health as required.
Awarding to the incumbent supplier ensures continuation of service and care of an essential service within the Ophthalmology department. Without this service, there will be a gap in the level of care provided to those who are currently living with sight loss, at any stage of their journey. A potential break in service could be detrimental to pre-existing relationships with the Ophthalmology department as well as the current patients within the locality.
The provision is essential for high quality of patient care, spanning both general and specific requirements of each individual patient. On top of caring for visually impaired individuals, the Officer provides invaluable support for their families and carers, extending their care and knowledge to those who may also be indirectly affected by sight loss.
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number in the OJ S:
2025/S 000-007611
Section V: Award of contract
Contract No: CAV-DCO (24-25) 107
A contract/lot is awarded:
No
V.1 Information on non-award
The contract/lot is not awarded
Other reasons (discontinuation of procedure)
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.3) Additional information
(WA Ref:148678)
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
High Court
Royal Courts of Justice, The Strand
London
WC2A 2LL
UK
Telephone: +44 2079477501
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
03/03/2025