Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Public Health

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Public Health seeking approval for the following:

1.       To undertake a tender exercise to re-procure the Integrated Sexual Health Service (ISHS) via the competitive process of the Health Care Services Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Regulations 2023. The current contract was due to expire on 31 March 2026. Public Health intended to commission the service for a core contract period of 4 years with the option to extend for a further 3 x 12-month periods, subject to satisfactory on-going performance and value for money being evidenced.

2.       To grant delegated authority for the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member – Public Health and Wellbeing, to award the contract and to authorise and execute extensions to the contract within the terms of the award.

The following appendix was attached to the report:

·       Sexual Health Equality Impact Assessment.

Decisions Made:

That

(1)      the Director of Public Health be authorised to undertake a competitive tender exercise under the PSR 2023 Regulations for the ISHS to run for a period of 4 years from 1 April 2026, with the option of 3 further 12-month extensions, subject to satisfactory ongoing performance and value for money being evidenced;

(2)      the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Cabinet Member – Public Health and Wellbeing, be authorised to award the contract to the successful tenderer following the completion of the above tender exercise; and

(3)      the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Cabinet Member – Public Health and Wellbeing, be authorised to execute any extension options within the terms of the award.

Reasons for the Decisions:

1.       The current contract will expire on 31st March 2026.

2.       Following the Trust merger, ongoing internal governance changes within the Trust had meant that the incumbent provider was currently unable to proceed via a PSR direct award process and had requested the Council to proceed via a competitive tender process.

3.       Local authorities were nationally mandated under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to commission sexual health services. Re-procurement of the ISHS was required to ensure ongoing continuity of sexual healthcare in Sefton.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

1.       Direct Award Process A – the Council did not consider the existing provider to be the only capable provider, and the Council was not concluding a framework agreement. Therefore, Direct Award Process A was not appropriate.

2.       Direct Award Process B – it was not a contracting arrangement where people had a choice of providers nor where the number of providers were restricted by the Authority. Therefore, Direct Award Process B was not appropriate.

3.       Direct Award Process C – the incumbent Trust had confirmed they were currently unable to consider a direct award via Direct Award Process C, therefore, Direct Award Process C was not appropriate.

4.       Most suitable provider process – where the relevant authority was able to identify the most suitable provider this option might be considered without running a completive process.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 124