FOI 2026/1641

I would like to understand how ophthalmology services – particularly subspecialty ophthalmology – are currently commissioned within your Integrated Care Board (ICB), and the contractual or accreditation routes through which these services are delivered.

Please provide the following information:

1. A list of all current arrangements through which the ICB commissions ophthalmology services, including both general ophthalmology and subspecialty services:

• Glaucoma
• Medical retina (including Age-related Macular Degeneration – AMD)
• Oculoplastics
• Vitreoretinal surgery
• Cornea and external eye disease
• Paediatric ophthalmology
• Neuro-ophthalmology
• Urgent eye care / acute eye services

1. For each subspecialty identified in response to Question 1, please specify the commissioning route used, categorised as one of the following:

• Patient Choice accreditation
• Any Qualified Provider (AQP) style accreditation
• Other non-contractual qualifying route (please specify)
• Formal NHS contract following procurement

1. For any services that are delivered via a formal contract that required a procurement process, please provide the following details for each such contract:

• Contract title and reference number
• Name of the incumbent provider
• Contract start date
• Contract end date (including any extension options)
• The procurement route used (e.g., open tender, framework call-off, direct award, etc.)
• The scope of ophthalmology services included within that contract

If any part of this request exceeds the cost limit, please provide advice and assistance under Section 16 of the Act to help me refine the request so that it can be answered within the limit.

I would instruct the ICB to provide the response in excel format.

look forward to your response within the statutory timeframe.

1. Current arrangements through which the ICB commissions ophthalmology services is via the NHS standard contract.

• Glaucoma – Patient Choice accreditation*
• Medical retina (including Age-related Macular Degeneration – AMD) – historical procurement processes.
• Oculoplastics – Patient Choice accreditation
• Vitreoretinal surgery – Patient Choice accreditation*
• Cornea and external eye disease – Patient Choice accreditation
• Paediatric ophthalmology – NHS Trust provision only
• Neuro-ophthalmology – NHS Trust provision only
• Urgent eye care / acute eye services – NHS Trust Provision only

*For these sub-specialities whilst providers are accredited through the NHSGM patient choice accreditation process, these are limited pathways.

3. As a public sector organisation we are required to publish all awarded contracts. This information is publicly available and can therefore be found on the following links:

Contracts register: nhsgm-conreg-feb-25-final.pdf

Contracts Finder: Contracts Finder – GOV.UK

Find A Tender / CDP – https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search