Issue - meetings

Report by Maggie Rae, Corporate Director

This report will be considered by the Health Select Committee on 19 November 2013, the views of which will be reported to Cabinet.

Cllr Keith Humphries, Cabinet member for Public Health, Protection Services, Adult Care and Housing (exc strategic housing) presented a report which updated Cabinet on the new mandated responsibility of this Council to commission Open Access Sexual Health services. Cabinet was also asked to agree to the proposed procurement of the Community Contraception and Sexual Health services in Wiltshire. 

Cllr Humphries explained that this would be the first of a number of papers to come to Cabinet. The contract with Sirona Care and Health had been transferred without competitive tender when the PCT split commissioning and provider services in 2011. The transition agreement was now coming to an end and the contract  needs to be put out for competitive tender.

The majority of contraception and sexual health (CaSH) services were located in the North and it was hoped that the number of clinics could be extended to 10 and would spread across the County. The potential for campuses to play a cost effective role in this was noted.

The need to work on education was highlighted, not just in prevention but knowing where to go in terms of help and guidance. The role of the Area Boards was highlighted in terms of what can be done locally.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1.         agrees in principle to the proposal to undertake a tendering process to provide community contraception and sexual health services for 5 (3+2) year agreement;

2.         delegates authority of consideration of a procurement options paper to determine the appropriate procurement route and execute the contracts resulting from this tendering activity to Maggie Rae, Corporate Director, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Health, Public Protection and Adult Care and Housing, the Solicitor to the Council and the Chief Financial Officer.

Reason for decision:

As part of the Health and Social Care Act reforms, Wiltshire Council has a mandated responsibility to commission Open Access Sexual Health Services, to address the disease burden of sexually transmitted infections and reduce unintended pregnancy through the provision of a full range of contraceptive methods.