Multi-Party Framework Agreement for the Provision of a Non-Operative Treatment Pathway for Low Complexity Spinal Patients

The Contracting Authority intends to establish a framework agreement with suitably-qualified and experienced medical service providers to deliver end-to-end outpatient assessment, diagnostic and non-operative treatment pathways for a cohort of approximately 1,200 patients. These patients are currently on a neurosurgical waiting list, rather than an orthopaedic list; however, the Contracting Authority will accept tender submissions involving orthopaedic spinal surgeon review. For tenderers’ information, a low-complexity spine patient is defined as an individual with a straightforward, one or two level or localised spinal condition that requires standard surgical or medical management with minimal technical difficulty and lower physiological risk. Under the framework agreement, the successful tenderers will assume responsibility for patients from the first specialist outpatient assessment to the patient’s discharge or until a determination has been made that surgical intervention is clinically indicated. It is a mandatory condition for the operation of this framework agreement that appointed framework operators are eligible to deliver low-complexity spine procedures under the relevant National Surgical Services Framework.