Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care, and Wellbeing considered the report which sought approval to implement Contract Standing Order 10.02.1b, to vary and extend the current contract for the provision of a Home from Hospital Service, provided by Bridge Renewal Trust. Subject to approval, the contract would be varied and extended for a further period of nine (9) months commencing 1st July 2023 to 31st March 2024. The estimated cost of the service for a duration of a further 9 months would be £112,500 making the total aggregated value over the life of the contract £660,000.

In response to a question from the Cabinet Member, the Commissioning Manager explained that there was limited time available between confirmation of Better Care Fund funding for 2023/24 and the contract expiry date and so there was insufficient time to undertake a procurement process. It was noted that varying the term of the contract would allow sufficient time for recommissioning of the service.

In relation to the support provided, it was noted that the service had supported 502 Haringey patients from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022; the target for this period was 500. It was explained that the service provided general support to ensure a smooth transition from hospital to home and to avoid delayed discharges; it was commented that this could include assistance with essential food shopping, prescriptions, and maintaining communication. It was also confirmed that all staff were paid the London Living Wage and above.

It was noted that providing the service in-house had been considered but that, due to the expertise required, it was not considered a viable option at present. It was confirmed that the contract was fully funded by the Integrated Care System (ICS) but that matters such as contract monitoring were undertaken by the Council.

The Cabinet Member RESOLVED

1.    To approve a variation of the terms of the Council’s existing contract for the provision of a Home from Hospital service provided by The Bridge Renewal Trust to allow for its extension for a further period of nine (9) months, pursuant to Contract Standing Order (CSO) 10.02.1 (b).

2.    To approve the extension of the contract from 1st July 2023 to 31st March 2024 at a cost of £112,500 (core funding £120,000 and £5,000 on a payment by result basis), making the total aggregated value over the life of the contract £660,000).

3.    To note that the cost of the contract is currently funded by North Central London Integrated Care Board (NCL ICB) through the Better Care Fund budget, NCL ICB having indicated that funding for financial year 2023/24 will be available. Therefore, the contract will be extended for a period of 9 months (up to 31st March 2024).

Reasons for decision

The Home from Hospital service provides valuable support for people leaving hospital and prevents readmissions. The proposed contract variation will enable the Council to provide a continuous Home from Hospital Service in Haringey which will prevent unnecessary admissions to medical assessment and inpatient wards after presentation at A&E and will save unnecessary health costs.

The funding for this service comes from the Better Care Fund (BCF), currently held by the NCL ICB and renewed annually. The NCL ICB has indicated that funding for financial year 2023/24 will be available.

Alternative options considered

Do Nothing – It would be possible to leave the contract to cease at the end of the current contract period. However, there is continued high demand for this service and it continues to achieve positive outcomes for vulnerable people whom the NCL ICB and Council have a statutory and/or strategic responsibility for and commitment to. Therefore, it would not be in the Council’s interest to let this contract end at this time.

In-house provision – was considered and was found not to be suitable for delivery of this service, as there is not currently the expertise within the Council to provide this service.

Go out to tender – It would be possible to tender the current contract and seek a new or refreshed contract, however, there are a number of ongoing projects aligned with the ‘Home from Hospital Service’ which are still in development. It is therefore not considered an effective use of resources to procure a new service at this time.

Further to the above, the 2023/24 Better Care Fund budget has not been finalised. At the time of writing, there is no guarantee that this funding will continue beyond the extension period requested. Therefore, undertaking a competitive procurement is not a viable option.