Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care, and Wellbeing considered the report which detailed the outcome of an open tender process and sought approval to award contracts to the successful tenderers for the Provision of Public Health commissioned General Practitioners Prevention Services in accordance with Contract Standing Order (CSO) 9.07.1 (d).

Subject to approval, the contracts would be awarded for a period of four (4) years, commencing from 1 October 2022 to 30September 2026 with an option to extend for a further period, or periods, of up to a total of four (4) years.

It was noted that, for NHS health checks, practices would be set a maximum cap which would be allocated annually based on population, level of deprivation, and performance. It was stated that there were also community based health checks that were targeted in the east of the borough.

In relation to the number of tenders received across all Lots, it was explained that further procurement would be undertaken. It was commented that a different model might need to be considered for future delivery.

Following consideration of the exempt information,

The Cabinet Member RESOLVED

1.    To approve the award of contracts for the Provision of Public Health commissioned General Practitioners Prevention Services to the successful tenderers (identified in exempt Appendix 1), for a period of four (4) years, commencing from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2026 with an option to extend for a further period, or periods, of up to a total of four (4) years, in accordance with CSO 9.07.1(d).

2.    To note the contract prices: Unit costs for each activity within individual lot has been fixed by the Council based on benchmarking with other Local Authorities. The rate for each activity is agreed with Local Medical Committees (LMC) and GP federations prior to publishing the tender and subject to review every 2 years.

3.    To note that, currently, the maximum available budget for these contracts is £1,078,052 for 4 years and £2,156,104 for 8 years (if extended). GP practices will claim based on activity. For NHS health checks, practices will be set a maximum cap. This will be allocated annually linked to eligible population, level of deprivation and performance.

4.    To note that insufficient tenders were received across all Lots, therefore a further procurement process will be undertaken as a matter of priority to commission the remaining services. This would not increase the maximum available budget allocated to these services.

Reasons for decision

There is a clearly identified need within Haringey for these services to improve health outcomes for local people, including tackling health inequalities that exist for particular groups and local areas.

The decision to award contracts to the successful tenderer is based on the conclusion of a competitive procurement process. The proposed recommendation to award the contracts is made according to the outcome of the Most Economically Advantageous Tender, as detailed in section 6 of this report.

The recommended providers submitted a tender bid and have demonstrated that they have necessary accreditation, expertise and qualification to provide the services required.

Alternative options considered

Do Nothing - The Council could choose to no longer commission this service. However, National Health Service (NHS) Health Checks are a mandated service, so an alternative way of delivering would need to be found. It has been concluded that not providing these prevention services would be damaging to residents, especially those from economically disadvantaged groups. This is an extensive, specialist programme of services reaching residents living in the most deprived areas of the borough, whose lifestyle behaviour’s is an important factor in their increased risk of developing a range of long-term conditions, many of which go undiagnosed. Local delivery of these services is valued, many women prefer to have their Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) appointment at a local GP. GP opiate substitute prescribing is recommended by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as an effective way to deliver drug treatment.

Extend existing contracts – Extension periods available within the existing contracts have been exhausted.