SKC17011 - Community Audiology Specsavers Hearcare Group Limited NHS South Kent Coast CCG - 1st February 2018 to 31 st January 2019

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SKC17011 – Community Audiology
Specsavers Hearcare Group Limited

 st                 st
1 February 2018 to 31 January 2019

NHS South Kent Coast CCG
NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

NHS Standard Contract 2017/18 and
2018/19
Particulars (Shorter Form)
Updated January 2018

Contract title/ref: SKC17011
     SKC17011 – Community Audiology – Specsavers Hearcare Group Limited
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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

NHS Standard Contract
2017/18 and 2018/19
Particulars (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

First published:           November 2016
Republished:               January 2018
Prepared by:               NHS Standard Contract Team
                           nhscb.contractshelp@nhs.net

Publications Gateway Reference:                       07407
Document Classification:                              Official

SKC17011 – Community Audiology – Specsavers Hearcare Group Limited
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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

                                                     SKC17011
Contract Reference

                                                     1st February 2018
DATE OF CONTRACT

                                                     1st February 2018
SERVICE COMMENCEMENT DATE

CONTRACT TERM                                        1 year commencing
                                                     1st February 2018
                                                     (or as extended in accordance with
                                                     Schedule 1C)

COMMISSIONERS                                        NHS South Kent Coast CCG
                                                     (ODS 10A)

CO-ORDINATING Commissioner                           NHS South Kent Coast CCG
                                                     (ODS 10A)

PROVIDER                                             Specsavers Hearcare Group Limited
                                                     La Villiaze
                                                     St Andrews
                                                     Guernsey
                                                     GY6 8YP

                                                     Company number: 35965

SKC17011 – Community Audiology – Specsavers Hearcare Group Limited
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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

                                        CONTENTS

PARTICULARS

SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1 – SERVICE COMMENCEMENT AND CONTRACT TERM
(Schedule 1B Intentionally Omitted)
  A. Conditions Precedent
  C. Extension of Contract Term

SCHEDULE 2 – THE SERVICES (Schedule 2C, 2E, 2F, 2H, 2I, 2L
Intentionally Omitted)
   A. Service Specifications
   B. Indicative Activity Plan
   D. Essential Services
   G. Other Local Agreements, Policies and Procedures
   J. Transfer of and Discharge from Care Protocols
   K. Safeguarding Policies and Mental Capacity Act Policies

SCHEDULE 3 – PAYMENT (Schedule 3D, 3E, 3G Intentionally Omitted)
 A. Local Prices
 B. Local Variations
 C. Local Modifications
 F. Expected Annual Contract Values

SCHEDULE 4 – QUALITY REQUIREMENTS (Schedules 4B, 4E – 4G
Intentionally Omitted)
   A.    Operational Standards and National Quality Requirements
   C.    Local Quality Requirements
   D.    Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN)

SCHEDULE 5 – INTENTIONALLY OMITTED

SCHEDULE 6 – CONTRACT MANAGEMENT, REPORTING AND
INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS (Schedules 6B, 6D, 6E Intentionally
Omitted)
  A. Reporting Requirements
  C. Incidents Requiring Reporting Procedure

SCHEDULE 7 – PENSIONS

SCHEDULE 8 – TUPE

SKC17011 – Community Audiology – Specsavers Hearcare Group Limited
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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

SERVICE CONDITIONS

(Service Conditions 7, 9, 14, 18-20, 22, 26-27, 31 intentionally omitted)

SC1     Compliance with the Law and the NHS Constitution
SC2     Regulatory Requirements
SC3     Service Standards
SC4     Co-operation
SC5     Commissioner Requested Services/Essential Services
SC6     Choice, Referrals and Booking
SC8     Making Every Contact Count and Self Care
SC10    Personalised Care Planning and Shared Decision Making
SC11    Transfer of and Discharge from Care
SC12    Communicating With and Involving Service Users, Public and Staff
SC13    Equity of Access, Equality and Non-Discrimination
SC15    Urgent Access to Mental Health Care
SC16    Complaints
SC17    Services Environment and Equipment
SC21    Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections
SC23    Service User Health Records
SC24    NHS Counter-Fraud and Security Management
SC25    Procedures and Protocols
SC28    Information Requirements
SC29    Managing Activity and Referrals
SC30    Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response
SC32    Safeguarding and Mental Capacity
SC33    Incidents Requiring Reporting
SC34    Care of Dying People
SC35    Duty of Candour
SC36    Payment Terms
SC37    Local Quality Requirements and Quality Incentive Schemes
SC38    Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN)

GENERAL CONDITIONS

(General Conditions 6-7, 34-35 intentionally omitted)

GC1      Definitions and Interpretation
GC2      Effective Date and Duration
GC3      Service Commencement
GC4      Transition Period
GC5      Staff
GC8      Review
GC9      Contract Management
GC10     Co-ordinating Commissioner and Representatives
GC11     Liability and Indemnity
GC12     Assignment and Sub-Contracting
GC13     Variations
GC14     Dispute Resolution

SKC17011 – Community Audiology – Specsavers Hearcare Group Limited
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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

GC15    Governance, Transaction Records and Audit
GC16    Suspension
GC17    Termination
GC18    Consequence of Expiry or Termination
GC19    Provisions Surviving Termination
GC20    Confidential Information of the Parties
GC21    Patient Confidentiality, Data Protection, Freedom of Information and
        Transparency
GC22    Intellectual Property
GC23    NHS Identity, Marketing and Promotion
GC24    Change in Control
GC25    Warranties
GC26    Prohibited Acts
GC27    Conflicts of Interest and Transparency on Gifts and Hospitality
GC28    Force Majeure
GC29    Third Party Rights
GC30    Entire Contract
GC31    Severability
GC32    Waiver
GC33    Remedies
GC36    Notices
GC37    Costs and Expenses
GC38    Counterparts
GC39    Governing Law and Jurisdiction

Definitions and Interpretation

SKC17011 – Community Audiology – Specsavers Hearcare Group Limited
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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

CONTRACT

This Contract records the agreement between the Commissioners and the Provider and
comprises

1. the Particulars;

2. the Service Conditions (Shorter Form);

3. the General Conditions (Shorter Form),

as completed and agreed by the Parties and as varied from time to time in accordance with
GC13 (Variations).

IN WITNESS OF WHICH the Parties have signed this Contract on the date(s) shown
below

SIGNED by                                         ……………………………………………………….
                                                  Signature

           for                                    Accountable Officer
and on behalf of
NHS South Kent Coast Clinical
Commissioning Group

                                                  ……………………………………………………….
                                                  Date

SIGNED by                                         ……………………………………………………….
                                                  Signature

                                                  Specsavers SHGL Board Member
…………………………………………
for and on behalf of
Specsavers Hearcare Group Limited
                                                  ……………………………………………………….
                                                  Date

SKC17011 – Community Audiology – Specsavers Hearcare Group Limited
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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

 SERVICE COMMENCEMENT
 AND CONTRACT TERM
                                                       st
 Effective Date                                       1 February 2018
                                                       st
 Expected Service Commencement Date                   1 February 2018
                                                       st
 Longstop Date                                        1 February 2018
                                                       st
 Service Commencement Date                            1 February 2018

 Contract Term                                        1 year commencing
                                                       st
                                                      1 February 2018

 Option to extend Contract Term                       NO

 Notice Period       (for   termination     under     3 months
 GC17.2)

 SERVICES
 Service Categories                                   Indicate all that apply

 Continuing Healthcare Services (CHC)

 Community Services (CS)                              X

 Diagnostic, Screening and/or Pathology
 Services (D)

 End of Life Care Services (ELC)

 Mental Health and Learning Disability
 Services (MH)

 Patient Transport Services (PT)

 Service Requirements

 Essential Services (NHS Trusts only)                 NO

 PAYMENT

 National Prices Apply to some or all                 NO
 Services (including where subject to
 Local Modification or Local Variation)

 Local Prices Apply to some or all Services           YES

 Expected Annual Contract Value Agreed                NO

SKC17011 – Community Audiology – Specsavers Hearcare Group Limited
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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

 GOVERNANCE AND
 REGULATORY
 Provider’s Nominated Individual

 Provider’s Information Governance Lead

 Provider’s Caldicott Guardian

                                                      Tel:
 Provider’s Senior Information Risk Owner

 Provider’s Accountable Emergency
 Officer

 Provider’s Safeguarding Lead

 Provider’s Child        Sexual     Abuse      and
 Exploitation Lead

 Provider’s Mental Capacity and
 Deprivation of Liberty Lead

 Provider’s Freedom To Speak Up
 Guardian(s)

 CONTRACT MANAGEMENT

 Addresses for service of Notices                     Co-ordinating Commissioner:
                                                      NHS South Kent Kent CCG
                                                      Address:
                                                      Honeywood Close
                                                      Whitfield
                                                      Dover
                                                      Kent
                                                      CT16 3PJ

                                                      Email:
                                                      southkentcoast.ccg@nhs.net

                                                      Provider:
                                                      Specsavers Hearcare Group Limited
                                                      Address:
                                                      Cirrus House
                                                      Experian Way
                                                      Nottingham
                                                      NG12 1EP

SKC17011 – Community Audiology – Specsavers Hearcare Group Limited
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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

                                                      Email:

 Commissioner Representative(s)
                                                      Address:
                                                      Honeywood Close
                                                      Whitfield
                                                      Dover
                                                      Kent
                                                      CT16 3PJ

                                                      Email:
                                                      southkentcoast.ccg@nhs.net
                                                      Tel:
                                                      03000 424700
 Provider Representative
                                                      Address:
                                                      Specsavers
                                                      Cirrus House
                                                      Experian Way
                                                      Nottingham
                                                      NG12 1EP

                                                      Email:

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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

               SCHEDULE 1 – SERVICE COMMENCEMENT
                      AND CONTRACT TERM
                                 A.      Conditions Precedent

The Provider must provide the Co-ordinating Commissioner with the following documents and
complete the following actions:

 1.       Evidence of appropriate Indemnity Arrangements

                            C.        Extension of Contract Term

                                            NOT USED

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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

                          SCHEDULE 2 – THE SERVICES
                                A.     Service Specifications

                  Community Audiology – Revised Specification

Background:

The community audiology service is designed to provide hearing aid provision for patients
aged 18 or over that present to their GP when they experience hearing loss that affects their
daily life to the extent that might warrant a GP referral for an audiology assessment for the
potential issue of an NHS funded hearing aid.

The 2018 community audiology service specification puts the emphasis on the 3 year service
life of the hearing aid as a medical device as well as ensuring an effective and funded patient
pathway.

Key Principles:

Local tariff structure

Payment Structure – cost per case with the pathway paid for at each stage completed.

Patient attendance at the Provider must only be as a result of GP referral or patient self-
direction and never as the result of reminders or canvassing by the Provider. The only
exception to this is where a patient is accepted for the supply of a new or replacement
hearing aid and they necessarily have to attend for audiogram and fitting appointments only.

First follow-up attendances must only be as the result of patient self-direction and is only
payable where the patient attends within 12 weeks of hearing aid fitting.

Referrals can only be accepted from GP Practices who are members of NHS South Kent
Coast Clinical Commissioning Group.

Locations of service can only be within the NHS South Kent Coast CCG geographical area.

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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

                      Community Audio logy — Service Illustration (South Kent Coast CCG)

                er ice otes                            ain atient      ath ay                   ariff   otes

  ro iders ill be sub ect to periodic audit
       of their     patient records                    1. eferral fro    the
                                                           patient’s                           ariffs listed in
                                                                                                chedule
       pecific circu stances that lead to
      altered routes through this ser ice
   illustration are dealt ith in the te t of              2. o contra-
                  the contract                        indications and other
                                                            ise eligible

                                                                                            Maintenance and
                                                 es                               o         audiogram tari
                                                                                             com ination

                                                                                            here a de ice requires
                                                3. udiology                                 a repair or soft are
                                                 hearing aid                                ad ust ent that then
                                               assess ent and                                 requires a repeat
                                                 audiogra                                audiogra i e if the last
                                                                                           is       ee s old he
                                                                                          o      issioner ill pay the
                                                                                          tariff payable at step 6.
                                                                                                and at step 3.

                                               4.  earing aid          2a.   ischarged     epairs and or soft are
                                                de ice fitting         and letter to      ad ust ents that do not
                                                                                          require a repeat audio
                                                                                         gra    ust be charged as
                                                                                              aintenance only

                                                                                                ariffs listed in
                                                                                                 chedule

                             year ser ice
                         life of de ice s                5.      follo up
                                                        patient requested

                                                        6. aintenance
                                                      repairs and or battery
                                                      change appoint ents
                                                       o er the ser ice life
                                                         of the de ice s

                                                      7. hree years after
                                                         4. abo e is the
                                                       nor al end of the
                                                      de ice s ser ice life
                                                         he patient ust
                                                         self-refer to the
                                                       ro ider to obtain an
                                                                 funded
                                                          replace ent

          The Provider will supply a community audiology service that competently assess a
           patient’s hearing capability and the effect of any hearing loss on a patient’s quality of
           life and, in accordance with the Kent and Medway Referral and Treatment Criteria in
           force at the time, issue NHS funded hearing aids only where appropriate.

SKC17011 – Community Audiology – Specsavers Hearcare Group Limited
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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

        The Provider will assess hearing aid suitability using a recognised validated
         assessment tool and the use of audiological measurement techniques that comply
         with the latest techniques and guidance from the recognised professional bodies for
         audiologists in the United Kingdom.

        If a patient is assessed as suitable for the issue of NHS funded hearing aids the
         Provider will devise and record in the patient notes an individual management plan
         related to the outcomes the patient is seeking by having a hearing aid fitted and carry
         out the moulding and fitting procedures together with any follow up protocol(s) in
         accordance with the latest techniques and guidance from the recognised professional
         bodies for audiologists in the United Kingdom.

        Hearing aid devices issued have a three year service life. The patient will not be
         eligible for a replacement hearing aid until three years have elapsed from the date of
         issue. The Provider must inform the service user of the date their hearing aid will be
         due for replacement at the time of the fitting appointment.

        The Provider will provide one face to face follow up appointment for the service user
         post hearing aid device fitting at a clinically reasonable time, but no longer than 12
         weeks, to determine whether the service users hearing aid outcome needs are being
         met and to rectify if not. If the single follow up appointment is carried out beyond the
         12 weeks point from hearing aid issue this must be reported as an exception for
         consideration by the Commissioner.

        The Provider will carry out hearing aid aftercare for which the Commissioner will pay
         the tariff listed at Schedule 3A.

Pre-referral screening of patients
Before patients can be considered for referral they must attend their GP surgery as a self-
directed action and not as the result of any previous intervention by a Provider.

Providers are expressly prohibited from giving patients forms or other kinds of documents
whether paper or electronic or in any other way delineated or communicated including
telephoning a      surgery that a es the suggestion to the patient’s      that they need a
referral to the Provider or any other Provider for an NHS funded hearing aid.

The practice of carrying out any kind of hearing assessment for the purposes of issuing NHS
funded hearing aids where the patient has not been referred to the Provider by their GP is
prohibited under this contract and is considered a termination event.

The Commissioner, however, recognises that some patients may see a Provider with the
intention of having a self-funded hearing aid and then decide for whatever reason to request
that they be assessed for the issue of an NHS funded hearing aid. In this instance the patient
must still present to their GP and without any kind of supporting documentation or
communication from the Provider.

Lost hearing aids
The Commissioner expects that the patient takes responsibility for the hearing aid device that
is issued to them, for the whole duration of the 3 year service life of the device. If a patient
loses their hearing aid for whatever reason or damages it whether accidental or not during the
3 year service life of the device, then the patient must pay the replacement cost of the aid at
the cost price to the Provider. The Provider is responsible for the recovery of this money from
the patient. The Commissioner will however pay the Provider for the cost of a new audiogram
and the device and fitting appointment minus the cost of the replacement device(s).
Subsequent hearing aid aftercare will be paid for in the circumstances set out in this contract
as if the first hearing aid issued had not been lost or damaged.

The Commissioner will only pay for lost or damaged hearing aids where the patient has a
diagnosis of dementia confirmed by their GP or where they are subject to a section under the
Mental Health Act where they would ordinarily be within the criteria for service under this

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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

contract. Where the Provider is uncertain about whether to charge a patient for the
replacement cost of a hearing aid, the Commissioner should be called or written to for
guidance.

Faulty hearing aids
Where a patient attends the ro ider’s pre ises to report their hearing aid is faulty the
Commissioner will pay the hearing aid aftercare tariff to enable a functional test by the
Provider to be carried out. If the hearing aid is found to be faulty and needs replacing then if
the patient has had an audiogram more than 8 weeks previously the Commissioner will pay
the hearing aid assessment tariff for a new audiogram and a new single device to be fitted.
The Provider must report, as an exception, instances of faulty hearing aids as part of contract
monitoring so that the Commissioner can understand over the longer term the level of faulty
devices being supplied from the factory.

After the 3 year service life of the device has ended
The Provider must not pro-actively communicate to the patient that their hearing aid service
life is at an end. If patients would like their hearing aid to be exchanged for a new one after
expiry of the 3 year service life then they must do so by self-direction to return to the Provider
and not by being reminded by the Provider.

For the avoidance of doubt, an existing patient of the Provider does not need a new GP
referral for a hearing aid at the end of the three year service life of the hearing aid device and
can present to the Provider. The Commissioner will pay for a new audiology
assessment/audiogram at this point as if the patient was newly referred.

Unilateral to bilateral conversion
Where a patient has had a unilateral pathway fitting of a hearing aid device and that device is
still within its 3 year service life, if it becomes necessary to assess the patient for a second, or
bilateral fitting of hearing aid devices, the Provider will report such individual occurrences as
an exception to be discussed at contract performance review.

In addition the occurrence of the conversion from a unilateral to a bilateral fitting must be
reported to the service users GP.

Definitions associated with the tariff charging points within the patient pathway:

Audiology hearing aid assessment and audiogram only – The Commissioner will pay this
tariff where a patient has been referred by their GP for assessment and audiogram for the
purposes of establishing whether or not the patient is clinically suitable for the issue of an
NHS funded hearing aid.

When assessing the audiology needs of a patient, the Provider will use a validated
assessment tool to determine if the threshold for the issue of a NHS funded hearing aid has
been reached he ro ider ill eep these assess ents as part of patients’ edical records
and will make them available for inspection for audit by the Commissioner if requested.

The Commissioner will not pay for an audiogram that is repeated within 8 weeks of a previous
one.

The assessment and audiogram tariff is payable upon the results being communicated to the
referring GP.

Cost for hearing aid assessment, fitting of one (unilateral) or two (bilateral) devices,
cost of the device(s) and one follow up appointment -
The service life of a hearing aid device is 3 years.

The Provider should inform the patient that the service life of their hearing aid device is 3
years and that the patient can self-refer back to the Provider for a replacement only at the
three year point from the date of issue unless the device becomes faulty.

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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

Hearing aid aftercare – The Commissioner will pay for a hearing aid aftercare appointment
(this appointment can be as a walk-in here the patient attends at the ro ider’s pre ises
and has their batteries changed and cleaning and replacement of tubes. Hearing aid aftercare
includes where a patient has to have the software on their hearing aid adjusted or some other
rectification work without the need for a new audiogram.

Where the patient needs their hearing aid adjusted or repaired to the extent that a new
audiogram is clinically indicated and more than 8 weeks has elapsed since the last
audiogram, then the Commissioner will pay the audiology hearing aid assessment tariff to
enable this to be carried out.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Commissioner will only pay both tariffs (separate hearing aid
aftercare and hearing aid assess ent tariffs together here the patient’s hearing aid also
requires battery change and tube cleaning or changing. The practice of sending the patient
away for a second appointment if an audiogram is indicated through device adjustment or
rectification when the patient has initially attended for battery change and or tube
cleaning/changing is to be avoided if at all possible.

The Provider will not pre-schedule hearing aid aftercare except where the service user has
contacted the Provider to make an appointment to be seen for the purposes of hearing aid
battery replacement, device maintenance (for example tubes and other device consumables),
or suspected faulty device.

Where service users attend for hearing aid aftercare more than three times in one year, these
will be reported as an exception to be discussed at contract performance review.

Criteria for exclusion and contra-indications:

    1. Children under the age of 18 years

    2. History of:
     Persistent pain affecting either ear (defined as pain in or around the ear lasting more
       than 7 days in the last 90 days and which has not resolved as a result of prescribed
       treatment);
     History of discharge (other than wax) from either ear within the last 90 days, which
       has not responded to prescribed treatment, or which is recurrent;
     Sudden loss or sudden deterioration of hearing (sudden=within 72 hours in which
       case refer via locally agreed urgent care pathways). Due to the variety of causes of
       sudden hearing loss, the treatment timescale should be decided locally by the
       medical team. Prompt treatment may increase the likelihood of recovery;
     Rapid loss or rapid deterioration of hearing (rapid=90 days or less);
     Fluctuating hearing loss, other than associated with colds;
     Unilateral or asymmetrical, or pulsatile or distressing tinnitus lasting more than 5
       minutes at a time;
     Troublesome, tinnitus which may lead to sleep disturbance or be associated with
       symptoms of anxiety or depression;
     Abnormal auditory perceptions (dysacuses);
     Vertigo which has not fully resolved or which is recurrent. (Vertigo is classically
       described as a hallucination of movement, but here includes any dizziness or
       imbalance that may indicate otological, neurological or medical conditions. Examples
       include spinning, swaying or floating sensations and veering to the side when
       walking)
     Normal peripheral hearing but with abnormal difficulty hearing in noisy backgrounds;
       possibly having problems with sound localization, or difficulty following complex
       auditory directions;
     Altered sensation or numbness in the face or observed facial droop

    3. On ear examination:
     Complete or partial obstruction of the external auditory canal preventing full

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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

         examination of the eardrum. If any wax is obscuring the view of the eardrum, the GP
         surgery should arrange wax removal before referring the patient to Audiology
        Abnormal appearance of the outer ear and/or the eardrum (examples include:
         inflammation of the external auditory canal, perforated eardrum, active discharge,
         eardrum retraction, growths, swelling of the outer ear or blood in the ear canal).

    4. On audiometry:
     Conductive hearing loss, defined as 25 dB or greater air-bone gap present at two or
       more of the following frequencies: 500, 1000, 2000 or 4000 Hz;
     Unilateral or asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss, defined as a difference
       between the left and right bone conduction thresholds of 20 dB or greater at two or
       more of the following frequencies: 500, 1000, 2000 or 4000 Hz;
     Evidence of deterioration of hearing by comparison with an audiogram taken in the
       last 24 months, defined as a deterioration of 15 dB or more in air conduction
       threshold readings at two or more of the following frequencies: 500, 1000, 2000 or
       4000 Hz.

Population covered
This service is not subject to the NHS Choice Rules and only patients age 18 and over and
who are on the registered lists of GPs who are members of NHS South Kent Coast CCG can
be seen under this contract.

Locations of Service:

All agreed locations of service must be within the geographic area of NHS South Kent Coast
CCG.

The Provider must only operate from the following locations of service:

Specsavers Folkestone
6 Alexandra Gardens
Folkestone
Kent
CT20 1SS

Specsavers Dover
11-16 Biggin Street
Dover
Kent
CT16 1BD

Specsavers Deal
13 High Street
Deal
Kent
CT14 7AA

Additional locations of service can be used only upon the written permission of the
Commissioner and after a contract variation process.

For the avoidance of doubt, under this contract the Provider may attend to patients at their
place of residence but there is no additional payment for such domiciliary visiting.

Local Standards

Workforce

The Provider must have an appropriate skill mix within their team in keeping with the
reco   endations set out in ‘ ransfor ing dult earing er ices for atients ith earing

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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

Difficulty –     ood ractice uide’       June 2007 and the BAA Scope of Practice (2016).
Assessment and treatment should always be provided by staff that are either suitably
registered or are supervised by a suitably registered practitioner and who are appropriately
trained, qualified and experienced.

The Professional Head of Service must be registered with the Health and Care Professions
Council or the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists. Other team roles may include:

Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers and assistant/associate audiologists who are suitably
qualified. here the o ern ent’s odernising cientific areers               progra    e brings
about changes to registration requirements, audiologists must be registered accordingly and
arrangements should be in place to support MSC training placements.

All staff should be provided with necessary training in line with the Intercollegiate document
and guidance for Safeguarding Adults.

All staff should be trained to identify the contra-indications and undertake appropriate action
according to defined protocols. In order to work unsupervised, staff need to be able to
evidence that they have undertaken a minimum of 50 assessments and fittings in the
preceding 12 months. Newly qualified Audiologists need to spend a minimum of two
weeks observing a qualified audiologist or dispenser, followed by two weeks working under
the direct fulltime supervision of a senior audiologist. Newly qualified staff undertaking this
training period should have a portfolio/evidence to demonstrate competence.

The Provider must be IQIPS accredited to provide assurance that staff are fully trained and
competent to deliver the service.

Facilities

Hearing assessments should be conducted in appropriately sound treated rooms where
possible such that a bient noise le els are co pliant ith the ‘B E I O 25 -1:2010
standard, Acoustics- Audiometric Test Methods – Part 1: basic pure tone air and bone
conduction threshold audio etry’ If this is not possible because domiciliary visits are
required, or where only preliminary hearing assessment is performed before full hearing
assessment, the 35 dBA (maximum background noise level) standard should be achieved
before undertaking testing. This should be done in situ with a portable sound level meter and
the e idence of this underta ing docu ented ’

Equipment and Software

The Provider should provide equipment and software for audiometric assessment and for the
fitting and evaluation of hearing aid(s) and the recording and export of service user data
including a minimum of:

        Otoscope;
        Ear impression taking equipment;
        Ear mould modification equipment;
        Audiometer, objective measurement (for example, REM) and 2cc test box systems
         that store data electronically in a form that can be readily exported and read into
         compatible NHS provider systems;
        Appropriate and updated hearing aid fitting software;
        A Patient Management System that stores data, including outcome questionnaire
         responses (for example, GHABP/COSI/IOI-HA), electronically, in a form that can be
         readily exported and read into compatible NHS provider systems;
        Computer hardware and software of a sufficiently robust standard to support the
         above systems, including secure back up facilities of all patient data.

Other Recommended Equipment:
    Tympanometer to evaluate eardrum mobility and middle ear function as required.

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In addition:
     All audiometric equipment should be regularly calibrated and checked to relevant
         national or international guidelines including Stage A, Stage B or Stage C checks in
         accordance with national recommendations;
     Appropriate arrangements must be made for the regular maintenance and safety
         checks of equip ent according to the anufacturer’s schedule;
     Equipment and electrical connections should meet the NHS requirements of safety of
         equipment used with patients and comply with the relevant NHS England
         recommendations.
     The Provider must propose plans and procedures for maintenance and
         decontamination of diagnostic equipment.

Operating standards

The service must:
    Screen all referrals within 2 working days of receipt
    Send an electronic discharge summary, in which must be provided a brief
       interpretation of the audiogram which must include any clinical recommendations by
       the audiologist, to the patient’s      ithin 7 calendar days of the issue of the hearing
       aid(s).
    Aim to reduce waiting times for assessment to 6 weeks or less
    Provide a high quality service that reflects best professional practice
    Reduce the necessity for patients to attend secondary care outpatient clinics
    Provide both formal and informal education to promote effective clinical expertise,
    Include patients in service satisfaction questionnaires, with an anticipated response
       rate of 60%, and which are used as part of the audit cycle, with action plans to be
       developed from findings
    Achieve a maximum wait of 18 weeks from referral to first treatment with effect from
       service inception
    Comply with all relevant medical devices directives (Medicines and Healthcare
       Products Regulatory Agency)
    Protect the privacy and dignity of patients at all times, including having measures in
       place to chaperone patients if this is requested
    Comply with the Health and Social Care Act (2006) Part 2 (Prevention and Control of
       Healthcare Associated Infections.

There must be infection control prevention and control policy that meets the requirements of
Regulation 12 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities), Regulations
2014: safe care and Treatment, IPC procedures and protocols including decontamination
must comply with NHS standards.

                                B.     Indicative Activity Plan

                                           Not Applicable

                      D.     Essential Services (NHS Trusts only)

                                           Not Applicable

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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

             G.        Other Local Agreements, Policies and Procedures
                                        Not Applicable

                  J.     Transfer of and Discharge from Care Policies
                                           Not applicable]

        K.        Safeguarding Policies and Mental Capacity Act Policies

 The Provider will comply with the contemporaneous safeguarding policy of the
 Commissioner and in particular the reporting mechanism that is in place and that may
 change from time to time.

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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

                                 SCHEDULE 3 – PAYMENT
                                           A.       Local Prices

Audiology hearing aid assessment (including audiogram) only -

Device and fitting of one hearing aid device (unilateral) -

Device and fitting of two hearing aid devices (bilateral) -

First (and only) follow up appointment
after initial fitting (unilateral or bilateral) -

Hearing aid aftercare (battery change and repairs/fault rectification) -

There are no other amounts payable under this contract

Invoicing

Invoices should be submitted monthly and electronically through Tradepoint.com or by
post to the address below:

NHS South Kent Coast CCG
10A Payables K095
Phoenix House
Topcliffe Lane
Wakefield
WF3 1WE

Invoices must be dated and must include the name of the contract:

Community Audiology

and the contract reference number: SKC17011

and an invoice number (from your organisation)

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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

                                    B.     Local Variations

                                           Not Applicable

                                  C.     Local Modifications

                                           Not Applicable

                        F.     Expected Annual Contract Values
                                           Not Applicable

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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

                                                   SCHEDULE 4 – QUALITY REQUIREMENTS

                                         A.       Operational Standards and National Quality Requirements

 Ref         Operational                       Threshold                Method of               Consequence of breach                Timing of        Applicable
             Standards/National                                         Measurement                                                  application of   Service
             Quality Requirements                                                                                                    consequence      Category

 E.B.4       Percentage of Service             Operating standard       Review of Service       Where the number of Service          Monthly          CS
             Users waiting 6 weeks or          of no more than 1%       Quality                 Users waiting for 6 weeks or                          D
             more from Referral for a                                   Performance             more at the end of the month
             diagnostic test*                                           Reports                 exceeds the tolerance
                                                                                                permitted by the threshold,
                                                                                                £200 in respect of each such
                                                                                                Service User above that
                                                                                                threshold

             Duty of candour                   Each failure to notify   Review of Service       Recovery of the cost of the          Monthly          All
                                               the Relevant Person      Quality Performance     episode of care, or £10,000 if
                                               of a suspected or        Reports                 the cost of the episode of care is
                                               actual Notifiable                                unknown or indeterminate
                                               Safety Incident in
                                               accordance with
                                               Regulation 20 of the
                                               2014 Regulations

In respect of the Operational Standard shown in bold italics the provisions of SC36.27A apply.

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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

                                                   SCHEDULE 4 – QUALITY REQUIREMENTS
                                                                     C. Local Quality Requirements

Quality Requirement                            Threshold             Method of             Consequence of breach          Timing of             Applicable
                                                                     Measurement                                          application of        Service
                                                                                                                          consequence           Specification
Outcomes:
Outcome 1                                      90 percent            Validated service     As per the remedies set out    Monthly Performance   Community
Improvement in service user reported                                 user reported         in the General Conditions of   Report                Audiology
quality of life                                                      outcome tools         the contract.
                                                                     such as Glasgow
                                                                     Hearing Aid
                                                                     Benefit Profile
                                                                     (GHABP)/ Client
                                                                     Oriented Scale of
                                                                     Improvement
                                                                     (COSI) and
                                                                     International
                                                                     Outcome
                                                                     Inventory for
                                                                     Hearing Aids (IOI-
                                                                     HA) – questions
                                                                     must include a
                                                                     measure for
                                                                     reported changes
                                                                     to social isolation
                                                                     and/or mental
                                                                     health
Outcome 2                                      90 percent            Question to be        As per the remedies set out    Monthly Performance   Community
Percentage of service users reporting                                asked by the          in the General Conditions of   Report                Audiology
continued use of their hearing aid 1                                 Provider of the       the contract.
year after device issue.                                             patient 1 year
                                                                     after device issue
                                                                     and reported on

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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

Quality Requirement                            Threshold             Method of            Consequence of breach          Timing of        Applicable
                                                                     Measurement                                         application of   Service
                                                                                                                         consequence      Specification
                                                                     the Quality Report

KPIs (incorporating key outcomes
above)
Referral to Assessment Time                    90 percent            Review of Service    As per the remedies set out    Monthly          Community
Assessments to be completed within 16                                Quality              in the General Conditions of                    Audiology
working days following receipt of                                    Performance          the contract.
referral, unless patient requests                                    Reports
otherwise
Assessment to Fitting Time                     90 percent            Review of Service    As per the remedies set out    Monthly          Community
Hearing aids to be fitted within 20                                  Quality              in the General Conditions of                    Audiology
working days following assessment,                                   Performance          the contract.
unless patient requests otherwise                                    Reports
Fitting to Follow Up Time                      90 percent            Review of Service    As per the remedies set out    Monthly          Community
Appointments are offered within 10                                   Quality              in the General Conditions of                    Audiology
weeks from fitting, unless there are                                 Performance          the contract.
clear, documented, clinical reasons to                               Reports
do otherwise, or the patient chooses to
wait beyond this period
AfterCare                                      95 percent            Review of Service    As per the remedies set out    Monthly          Community
Aftercare is available (face to face or                              Quality              in the General Conditions of                    Audiology
non-face to face) within 2 working days                              Performance          the contract.
of patient request                                                   Reports
Information Sharing                            100 percent           Review of Service    As per the remedies set out    Monthly          Community
Patient records and associated                                       Quality              in the General Conditions of                    Audiology
letters/reports completed and sent to GP                             Performance          the contract.
within 5 working days of hearing                                     Reports
assessment/ fitting/ follow-up
Service User Experience                        95 percent            Review of Service    As per the remedies set out    Quarterly and    Community

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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form) (updated January 2018)

Quality Requirement                            Threshold             Method of            Consequence of breach          Timing of                 Applicable
                                                                     Measurement                                         application of            Service
                                                                                                                         consequence               Specification
Standardised patient questionnaire to be                             Quality              in the General Conditions of   accumulative annual       Audiology
issued at discharge points.                                          Performance          the contract.                  report to include an
95% of responses received from service                               Reports                                             analysis of number of
users sampled should report overall                                                                                      patients discharged
satisfaction with service                                                                                                and surveyed,
                                                                                                                         number of responses
                                                                                                                         received, % of those
                                                                                                                         satisfied or very
                                                                                                                         satisfied with service.
Service Improvement                            90 percent            Service User         As per the remedies set out    Annual report to          Community
                                                                     Questionnaires       in the General Conditions of   demonstrate               Audiology
Service user questionnaires and peer                                                      the contract.                  recommendations
satisfaction surveys to capture areas for                                                                                and actions taken to
improvements.                                                                                                            address areas of
                                                                                                                         service improvement
Improved quality of life                       90 percent            Validated service    As per the remedies set out    Monthly Performance       Community
                                                                     user reported        in the General Conditions of   Report                    Audiology
                                                                     outcome tools        the contract.
                                                                     such as Glasgow
                                                                     Hearing Aid
                                                                     Benefit Profile
                                                                     (GHABP)/ Client
                                                                     Oriented Scale of
                                                                     Improvement
                                                                     (COSI) and
                                                                     International
                                                                     Outcome
                                                                     Inventory for
                                                                     Hearing Aids (IOI-
                                                                     HA)

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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form)

                 SCHEDULE 4 – QUALITY REQUIREMENTS

         D. Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN)

CQUIN Table 1: CQUIN Indicators

                                            Not Applicable

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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form)

        SCHEDULE 6 – CONTRACT MANAGEMENT, REPORTING AND INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS

                                                          A. Reporting Requirements

                                                                         Reporting Period                     Format of Report     Timing and Method for
                                                                                                                                   delivery of Report
National Requirements Reported Centrally
    Not applicable
National Requirements Reported Locally

1.   Activity and Finance Report (note that, if appropriately            Quarterly                            Excel spreadsheet    To be provided to the
     designed, this report may also serve as the reconciliation                                                                    Commissioner at least 1
     account to be sent by the Provider under SC36.22)                                                                             week before the contract
                                                                                                                                   performance review
                                                                                                                                   meetings.
2.   Service Quality Performance Report, detailing performance           Quarterly                            Excel spreadsheet    To be provided to the
     against Operational Standards, National Quality                                                                               Commissioner at least 1
     Requirements, Local Quality Requirements, Never Events,                                                                       week before the contract
     duty of candour submissions and patients reported by                                                                          performance review
     exception                                                                                                                     meetings.
3.   Complaints monitoring report, setting out numbers of                Quarterly                            Excel spreadsheet    To be provided to the
     complaints received and including analysis of key themes in                                                                   Commissioner at least 1
     content of complaints                                                                                                         week before the contract
                                                                                                                                   performance review
                                                                                                                                   meetings.
4.   Summary report of all incidents requiring reporting                 Quarterly                            Excel spreadsheet    To be provided to the
                                                                                                                                   Commissioner at least 1
                                                                                                                                   week before the contract
                                                                                                                                   performance review
                                                                                                                                   meetings.
Local Requirements Reported Locally

Schedule 4A and 4C Local Quality Reporting                               Monthly                              Excel Spreadsheet    To be provided to the
                                                                                                              and any supporting   Commissioner at least 1
                                                                                                              Word and/or PDF      week before the contract
                                                                                                              documents            performance review
                                                                                                                                   meetings.

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* In completing this section, the Parties should, where applicable, consider the change requirements for local commissioning patient-level data flows which will
need to be implemented when the new national Data Services for Commissioners technical solution becomes operational. These change requirements will be
published within the Data Services for Commissioners Resources webpage: https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/tsd/data-services/

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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form)

  SCHEDULE 6 – CONTRACT MANAGEMENT, REPORTING AND
              INFORMATION REQUIREMENTS

                     C.     Incidents Requiring Reporting Procedure

 Procedure(s) for reporting, investigating, and implementing and sharing Lessons Learned
 from: (1) Serious Incidents (2) Notifiable Safety Incidents (3) Other Patient Safety Incidents

                                              Insert text locally

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NHS STANDARD CONTRACT 2017/18 and 2018/19 PARTICULARS (Shorter Form)

                               SCHEDULE 7 – PENSIONS
                                             Not Applicable

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                                   SCHEDULE 8 – TUPE*

                                             Not Applicable

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© Crown copyright 2018
First published: November 2016
Republished: January 2018
Published in electronic format only

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