Decision details

RESOLVED: That Cabinet;

Delegated authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Cabinet member for Adults, Wellbeing and Health Integration, to extend the current NISHH contract with the existing provider for 2 years (1 + 1).

REASONS RESOLVED:

1.    To enable the contract to be extended in order to continue to provide the service as described in the report.

2.    The recommended course of action is the most cost and clinically effective service provision and enables a review of the current need and service to be carried out ahead of re-procurement.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

1.    Do nothing: Service will cease at end of March 2023 and disrupt service provision and the health and wellbeing of West Northants residents and lose delivery of mandatory services.

2.    Procuring alternate integrated service: The commissioning and procurement process cycle will take time before an alternative provider is commissioned to deliver the integrated service. The commissioning process cannot start before the end of the current arrangement. There will be disruption in service delivery when the existing contract comes to an end. The local authority and Public Health are in a transitional phase of managing the change, this may further impact the service.

3.    Procuring separate sexual health and HIV services: The commissioning and procurement process cycle will take time before an alternative provider is commissioned to deliver the separate services. This would require a re-design of both services with separate specifications and care pathways and commissioning formalities. To deliver 2 separate standalone services will require duplication of resources and capacity which will incur additional costs. The commissioning process cannot start before the end of the current arrangement. There will be disruption in service delivery when the existing contract comes to an end. The local authority and Public Health are in a transitional phase of managing the change, this may further impact the service.

4.    Extend current Integrated service: The extension of the current service will continue the delivery of the mandated service and avoid affecting the health and wellbeing of West Northants residents. Time will be available to carry out a needs assessment, review the current service and design a service model and a care pathway fit for future purpose and subsequently procure the service. NHSE is in agreement to extend the service for 2 years (1 +

1     -  This is the most cost and clinically effective option in the current   scenario.