Report to:	Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health
Date of meeting:	28 September 2022
By:	Director of Adult Social Care and Health
Title:	Procurement of the online Sexual Health service
Purpose:	To seek Lead Member approval for the procurement of online Sexual Health services in East Sussex

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Lead Member is recommended to:

(1)       agree to proceed to procurement with a contract for online sexual health services which covers all divisions in East Sussex; and

(2)       agree to delegate authority to the Director of Public Health to take all necessary actions to give effect to the implementation of the procurement of the online sexual health service and to finalise the service specification.

1          Background

1.1 The current ‘Online Sexual Health Service’ contract, provided by Preventx, started 1 November 2018and all options to extend have been used and the contract is due to end on 30 October 2022. The online service model consisted of a test request via an online platform with test-kits posted to the given address.

1.2 There was a significant lack of access to face-to-face sexual health services during the covid period 2020-2022. The original online Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) testing provision was given additional investment to meet increased need. A separate online Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) provider was procured to help fill the gap in access to face-to-face services.

1.3 A new enhanced online model called ‘Web based STI and HIV home sampling, postal emergency hormonal contraception and condom service’ (also provided by Preventx) was developed and successfully piloted and includes:

· An online form which provides an in-depth assessment,

· postal home STI testing,

· postal Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC),

· simple STI treatment following positive diagnosis (more complex cases or cases involving safeguarding will be referred to the Specialist Sexual Health service), and

· condom provision.

1.4 The model was developed with East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT) which provides the current face-to-face Specialist Sexual Health Service. The partnership arrangement between Preventx and ESHT ensures enhanced online provision, seamless referral and patient data sharing and increased access to services.

2          Supporting information

2.1. Procurement

Specialist Sexual Health face-to-face services provided by ESHT have an agreed contract extension until April 2024.  The procurement of the ‘Web based STI and HIV home sampling, postal emergency hormonal contraception and condom’ service has been approved via the Adult Social Care (ASC) Annual Procurement Plan 2022/23.

The ‘Web based STI and HIV home sampling, postal emergency hormonal contraception and condom’ service will be procured via the crown commercial services G cloud framework. The contract length has been set at the maximum allowed through the framework, 2+1+1, that is, two years with an option to extend by a year with an option to extend by a further year.

2.2. Service Specification

The ‘Web based STI and HIV home sampling, postal emergency hormonal contraception and condom’ draft Service Specification is attached in Appendix 1. A process chart has been subject to consultation with ESHT and Preventx and agreed with ESHT.

2.3       Equality Impact Assessment

An Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) was agreed by the Lead Member along with public consultation briefing regarding service model changes of all Sexual Health services in November 2021. The EIA analysis showed no potential for discrimination and that all appropriate opportunities had been taken to advance equality and foster good relations between groups.

3          Conclusion and recommendations

3.1       The proposed contract and covers all divisions in East Sussex therefore the Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health is recommended to agree to proceed to procurement with a contract for online sexual health services.

3.2       The Lead Member is recommended to delegate authority to the Director of Public Health to take all necessary actions to give effect to the implementation of the procurement of the online sexual health service including to finalise the draft service specification.

Mark Stainton

Director of Adult Social Care and Health

Contact Officer: Tony Proom
Email: tony.proom@eastsussex.gov.uk

LOCAL MEMBERS

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BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS

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