MMUH to outsource some dermatology services

The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH) in Dublin is planning to outsource some dermatology services due to an increase in attendances, the Medical Independent has learned.

The development comes as demand for dermatology services nationally continues to grow and outpace capacity. This rise is associated with population demographics, increasing skin cancer rates, and advances in treatment for chronic skin conditions.

MMUH stated that there is a need to provide some dermatology services through an outside supplier following a rise in attendances at its dermatology department.

In a recent tender notice, the MMUH outlined that it was seeking a contractor to provide minor operative and oncological dermatology services for at least six months, with a possible six-month extension.

Total procedure volumes are expected to be between 150 and 200, but the hospital noted that it could seek a further 200 per cent of this volume through the tender process.

The procedures sought are in three categories and include: Biopsy, shaves, and single excision; excision of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma; and excision with graft or flap reconstruction.

The final category involves “surgical excision of complex or high-risk skin malignancies requiring immediate local tissue rearrangement (eg, advancement, rotation, transposition flaps) or free skin grafting (split-thickness or full-thickness skin grafts) to restore functional and cosmetic integrity”. The cost of the services excluding VAT for six months is estimated at €214,000.

The third-party provider must possess and operate clinical facilities that guarantee patient safety, absolute sterility, and compliance with national healthcare standards.

The facility must be located within a geographic proximity accessible to the patient cohort (ie, within the MMUH catchment area) and operate in line with HIQA standards or equivalent.

The histopathology laboratory utilised by the provider for tissue processing and reporting must hold active accreditation to the ISO 15189 standard. The tenderer must guarantee that all personnel involved in the patient’s care pathway possess the appropriate Irish statutory qualifications, specialist credentials, and professional indemnity.