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Report to: |
Lead member for Adult Social Care and Health
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Date of meeting: |
20 March 2026
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By: |
Director of Adult Social Care and Health
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Title: |
Extension of Specialist Sexual Health Services contract
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Purpose: |
To gain approval for the first two-year extension of the Specialist Sexual Health Service contract with Kent Community Health NHS foundation Trust (KCHFT) |
The Lead Member is recommended to:
Approve the first two-year extension of the current contract for the provision of Specialist Sexual Health Services to the current provider - Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust - on the terms described.
1.1 As part of the conditions of the Public Health grant, Public Health are mandated to provide sexual health services to the residents of East Sussex.
1.2 The Specialist Sexual Health Service contract with Kent Community Foundation NHS Trust (KCHFT) started on 1 October 2024 with a 2+2+1 years contract duration.
1.3 The tender for this contract was advertised twice with no submissions despite significant interest. KCHFT were approached as a previously interested party and through negotiation the contract was awarded via the Negotiated Procedure without Prior Publication (Regulation 32 of the Public Contract Regulations 2015) and following Lead Member approval (Decision - Re-procurement of Specialist Sexual Health Services).
1.4 The present Service Provider (KCHFT) delivers specialist sexual health services including;
· Medical consultant led STI (sexually transmitted infection), HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and genitourinary conditions assessment, testing and treatment;
· HIV prevention such as HIV Pre exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and condoms;
· Immunisation against viral hepatitis, HPV (human papillomavirus), Mpox (previously known as monkeypox) and gonorrhoea;
· Assessment and provision of contraception;
· Accredited education and clinical leadership across the East Sussex primary and secondary health care and children's social care workforce; and,
· Assertive nurse led outreach to vulnerable individuals and groups such as the homeless, women who have child removal expectations, children we look after etc.
1.5 The current annual contract value is £2,688,117.40.
1.6 The Service Provider is an NHS organisation and annual agenda for change (AFC) wage rises are now passed through to the Service Provider from the department of health via the main Public Health grant held by the Council.
1.7 This 2-year extension term value therefore will be £5,376,234.8.
1.8 The contract is due its first review and (if agreed) two-year extension by September 30, 2026.
2.1 The service specification is being reviewed and has several new elements being included, such as:
· Increased assertive outreach function to vulnerable target groups;
· National requirement to provide immunisations for HPV, Mpox, and gonorrhoea (4CMENB);
· Doxycycline Post exposure prophylaxis; and,
· Partnership working with the separately commissioned online sexual health services provider.
2.2 KCHFT has worked and identified service efficiencies such as reduced accommodation rental, altered staffing in line with the service model, more cost-effective pathology.
2.3 To date there have been no performance issues, and the Service Contract Manager will continue to monitor the Service Provider’s performance. The Council has in place a robust quarterly monitoring programme that captures delivery against specific outcomes as set out in the existing contract terms with the incumbent Service Provider.
2.4 KCHFT works closely with the Council’s Strategic Commissioner to review services, providing local clinical leadership and interface with associated sexual health services, such as general practitioners and the main online sexual health service provider.
2.5 It has been concluded that the requested term extension provides the best value option to the Council at this time.
2.6 KCHFT have indicated that they are willing to continue the service on the current terms.
2.7 The 2-year extension will end on 30 September 2028 and there will be an allowed for further option to extend for one year.
3.1 This 2-year extension has a value of £5,376,234.8.
4.1 The extension will ensure continued delivery of this mandated service while supporting the revised service specification and maintaining identified efficiencies. Therefore, it has been concluded that the requested term extension of the Specialist Sexual Health Service to the incumbent provider (KCHFT) represents the best value to the Council at this time.
MARK STAINTON
Director of Adult Social Care and Health
Contact Officer: Tony Proom – Strategic
Commissioner for Sexual Health
Email: tony.proom@eastsussex.gov.uk