Agenda item

This report sought approval to award the Public Health Contract for Community Sexual Health Services – Young people sexual health and women’s Long- Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) service to Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) in accordance with Contract Standing Orders (CSO) 9.07.1 (d) and 16.02.

Subject to approval being granted, the contract would be awarded for a period of 3 years from 1October 2024 to 30September 2027 with an option to extend for a further period of 1.5 years.

The coronavirus crises brought up issues regarding inequality for different sectors of the community including vulnerable and young people. various cultures. There was an aspiration to improve engagement with young men. One way this would be done would be to have a dedicated outreach provision.  Sexual health specialists would go into the community and although more women were likely to be engaged, there was likely to be a good upward trajectory of men becoming more engaged. Increasing men’s understanding of the issues and normalising testing around men (and women) would help reduce repeat infections.

The Cabinet Member enquired about value for money and getting comparable results from neighbouring boroughs.  The meeting heard that Haringey was comparable to neighbouring boroughs and had a dedicated young people sexual health (under 25) and women (of all ages) LARC service.  These two groups based on survey had requested local services easily accessible within the borough and the service reflected their needs.

The Cabinet Member RESOLVED 

1.    The Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing in accordance with Contract Standing Order (CSO) 9.07.1(d) and 16.02 agrees to award, a contract for the provision of a Community Sexual Health Service focusing on young people sexual health and women’s LARC, to CNWL via a direct award process under the Provider Select Regime (PSR).

2.    The proposed contract shall run for a period of three (3) years commencing 1st October 2024 to 30th September 2027. with an option to extend for a period or periods of up to one and a half (1.5) years. For the avoidance of doubt the maximum contract length would be four (4) years and 6 months years, if extended.

3.    The three-year contract term will be at a cost of £1,000,000 per annum (totalling £3 million over 3 years). The aggregated total cost of the contract including the proposed extension period will be £4,500,000.

Reasons for decision 

The current contract expired on 30th September 2024. The provider was delivering a good service, and the requirements of the contract were not changing considerably.

The Council was permitted to award a new contract to the existing provider (CNWL) in accordance with the Health Care Services Regulations (Provider Selection Regime) 2023, which came into force on 1 January 2024.

The recommendation for award of contract was made following the completion of an assessment process under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Direct award process C. Please see appendix 1- Part B (exempt information) of this report.

The assessment had been carried out in accordance with published criteria and the Council was of the view that the provider will continue to deliver a sufficiently good service.

Alternative options considered

Do nothing and let the contract expire:

The Council could do nothing and let the contract expire. However, this would not be in the Council’s best interest as a dedicated local young people sexual health and women’s contraception service was integral to helping the council achieve its Corporate Delivery Plan for adults and young people.

Furthermore, the legacy of the covid pandemic continues to highlight the disparity in health inequity and inequalities, particularly for residents with protected characteristics and from deprived parts of the Borough. A service of this nature was vital to ensuring residents who may find it challenging to travel outside of the borough due to social, personal and/or financial reasons, have choice and access to local sexual health services, to seek clinical assessment, treatment and support for their sexual and reproductive health needs, particularly for complex, symptomatic issues. Which, without prompt intervention may go undiagnosed. Thereby leading to more serious complex ill health, contribute to onward transmission and an increase in STI and unwanted pregnancy rates in the borough.

Additionally, UKHSA recommends that sexual health services are commissioned at a local level to meet the needs of the local population, including provision of information, advice and support on a range of issues, such as sexually transmitted infections ( and unplanned pregnancy through a range of diverse local services to STIs ), contraception, relationships improve access and uptake of sexual and reproductive health provision for those who needed it.