Specialised Adult whole-body MRI (WBMRI) Surveillance for Cancer Predisposing Syndromes

Overview

This is a notice of intention to make an award. NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit (AGCSU),on behalf of NHS England Specialised Commissioning (referred to as the Authority) invited suitably qualified and experienced providers to express interest in the provision of Specialised Adult whole-body MRI (WBMRI) Surveillance for Cancer Predisposing Syndromes by responding to this accreditation process.<br/><br/>Services are being commissioned across seven (7) geographical regions to serve the population of England, as outlined below:<br/><br/>Lot 1: London<br/>Lot 2: East of England<br/>Lot 3: South East<br/>Lot 4: South West<br/>Lot 5: Midlands<br/>Lot 6: North East and Yorkshire<br/>Lot 7: North West<br/><br/>- There is no restriction on the number of sites that may be commissioned.<br/>- Providers must be located in and deliver services from the defined geographical area(s) that they are interested in providing services to.<br/><br/>Link to NHS England Regions:<br/>NHS England » Regional teams (https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/regional-area-teams/).<br/><br/>Inherited cancer predisposition syndromes are genetic conditions that increase the risk of developing one or more types of cancer. Scanning will be commissioned for three rare inherited cancer predisposition syndromes; Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), constitutional mismatch repair deficiency syndrome (CMMRD) and rhabdoid tumour predisposition syndrome (RTPS).<br/><br/>Published clinical guidelines for these conditions recommend the use of regular whole-body MRI (WBMRI) with the aim of detecting cancers at an early stage. The provision of expanded capacity for WBMRI scanning aims to improve clinical care of individuals once an inherited cancer predisposition has been diagnosed.<br/><br/>Providers will:<br/>• Provide, interpret and report WB-MRI Scanning for the patient cohort described.<br/>• Provide, interpret, and report brain MRI Scanning (the first one with contrast when possible).<br/>• Establish effective pathways (including sharing results) with providers.<br/>• Be linked to regional genetic centres to allow continuity of care.<br/>• Facilitate communication with referrers including consultant clinical geneticists<br/>• Have capacity to plan and undertake WBMRI under general anaesthetic if re-quired.<br/>• Have information governance processes that permit sharing clinical and imaging data across organisations involved with providing a cancer surveillance service, and collection of clinical outcome and monitoring data.<br/>• Engage positively with associated patient support groups.<br/>• Ensure clear communication with Genetics Services and patients, to support patients to make decisions on where to access screening.<br/>• Work collaboratively with other organisations e.g. within imaging networks, to provide scanning and reporting capacity and expertise to meet the needs of their population including transition between paediatric and adult services.<br/>• Operate Quality Assessment processes according to CQC standards<br/>• Screening will be in addition to breast screening undertaken through the National VHRS Programme<br/>• Provide facilities will be in line with NHS guidance on Facilities for diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology.<br/>• Support continued educational initiatives for non-genetics healthcare professionals to improve expertise and understanding of cancer predisposition syndromes.<br/>• Liaise with partners across cancer alliances to support early diagnosis innovation opportunities<br/>• Ensure screening frequency will be in accordance with surveillance protocols.