Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: December 3, 2024

Purpose: Cabinet is recommended to approve proposal to directly award a new 8 year contract (5 years with 3 optional 1 year extensions) to the incumbent integrated sexual health provider, Barts Health NHS Trust, using the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Regulations 2023. This will be a joint service with London Borough of Tower Hamlets and London Borough of Newham, who are the lead commissioner.  

Content: Cabinet: (1)            agreed the commissioning intentions outlined in the report, in summary, to continue to commission our specialist integrated sexual health service for our local population beyond November 2025, in a joint commissioning arrangement with London Borough of Newham, London Borough of Tower Hamlets and London Borough of Redbridge, with Newham acting as lead commissioner; and (2)            agreed the use of Provider Selection Regime, Direct Award Process C, which would see the incumbent provider (Barts Health NHS Trust) awarded a new contract for 5 years (with 3 optional one-year extensions) to provide integrated sexual health services.   Options & Alternatives Considered Option 1: Do nothing This would result in less overall spend and no need to enter a procurement process. However, this is not a possible option, as doing nothing means the Council would fail to fulfil its statutory requirement to commission sexual health services for our population. It would also worsen morbidity and mortality outcomes, and worsen health inequalities. Option 2: Recommissioning as an individual borough This option would give us total control over our commissioning intentions and service specification. However, there are significant disadvantages to this option. We would lose the financial efficiencies and improved service alignment and collaboration achieved through the current joint commissioning arrangement, and this would likely increase costs associated with paying for our residents’ sexual health care outside of the borough. We are also aligned with our current co-commissioners on our vision for the service. Option 3: Follow an alternative commissioning route e.g. competitive procurement This in theory provides alternative options for commissioners, however it is unlikely that there would be additional interest in providing this service aside from the current provider. This option would include the disadvantages of option 2, as the other boroughs would be unlikely to want to pursue competitive procurement with us. Option 4: Commission jointly as we currently do, via direct award Process C to the incumbent provider This is the recommended option, as it is most likely to maintain a high quality service for our residents, maximise financial efficiencies and collaboration through joint commissioning, and reduce likely out of borough costs compared to a single-borough service.