Purpose

Long-Acting Reversible Contraception
Reprocurement - to be undertaken through the Provider Selection
Regime - BFC to act as Host for RBWM & SBC

Decision

RESOLVED that
 

i.        
The
procurement route for of provision of Long-Acting
Reversible
Contraception (LARC) service, and the Emergency Hormonal
Contraception (EHC) Service is agreed.
 

ii.        
Bracknell
Forest continues to host the contracting of LARC and EHC for the 3
local authorities across Berkshire East (Bracknell Forest, Slough
and Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead).

Reasons for the decision

      
i.        
Local
authorities commission LARC and EHC services as part of their
responsibility for commissioning sexual health services (part of
the public health grant functions). LARC includes the fitting and
removal of Intra-uterine devices and systems and the EHC service is
targeted to women aged 15-24 to ensure provision of a sexual health
consultation alongside the provision of emergency contraception.
The cost of the services are free to the patients.
 
    
ii.        
These
services are offered in addition to the specialist integrated
sexual health service provision to increase patient choice in the
settings through which patients can access contraception. GPs are
the main provider outside of specialist sexual health settings to
provide LARC and pharmacies are the main provider commissioned to
provide an EHC service. This is because of the staffing and
facilities needed to provide these services. These services are
intricately linked to the provision in the specialist setting
because insufficient provision in either service area could impact
patient flows into the
specialist
setting.
 
   
iii.        
Bracknell
Forest Council is the commissioning authority for the specialist
sexual health service, and it has been agreed by the Chief
Executives of Bracknell Forest Council, Slough Borough Council and
the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead that the current public
health shared team functions for leadership, commissioning and
contract management of this service area remains in Bracknell
Forest. It is on this basis that the Royal Borough of Windsor and
Maidenhead and Slough Borough Council have agreed to continue the
arrangement with Bracknell Forest Council hosting if Bracknell
Forest are willing. This is advantageous all round as the EHC and
LARC service provision impacts the flow of patients requiring the
specialist service, so having oversight across supports governance
and oversight of this service area.
 
   
iv.        
Local
authorities are one of the relevant authorities (RA) required to
follow PSR when procuring health care services, irrespective of
whether the providers are from the NHS, independent or the
voluntary sector. PSR replaced Public Contracts Regulations 2015
when arranging health care services. Services within scope include
sexual health services arranged by local authorities.
 
    
v.        
While the
LARC and EHC primary care services (meaning in primary care
settings) have previously been commissioned with primary care
providers, the provision through PSR will mean that any provider
that meet the requirements can request a Contract (i.e., including
both private and community sector providers). Current providers
will be notified to register their Expression of Interest on the
portal. A Prior Indication Noticed (PIN) will be issued to the
marketplace to notify all potential providers of the
opportunity.
 
   
vi.        
The
opportunity will be advertised on the following
websites:-
3.6.1.
Find A Tender
3.6.2.
Contracts Finder
3.6.3.
South East Business Portal
 
  
vii.        
The
provisions of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of
Employment) Regulations will not apply on expiry of the current
contractual arrangements

Alternative options considered

To
not complete and leave Berkshire East without a LARC provision is
not an option
as
providing access to contraception is part of the prescribed
functions of the local
authority grant. Providing access to EHC for women aged 13-24 is
important to reduce the risk of teenage pregnancy and encourage
adoption of contraception to reduce the risk of unplanned
pregnancy