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It is recommended that the Portfolio Holder
for Adults and Community Health grants permission to commence
procurement of a Flexible Open Framework for the Provision of
Public Health Services in General Practice via an open tender
advertised on Find a Tender and via the Council’s procurement
web portal ‘The Chest’.
 
The proposed term of the framework is three
years, plus two optional 12-month extensions. The total value
across the maximum 5-year term is an estimated £1.955m.
To provide
contingency against price fluctuations in the services provided
(including medicine and prescription costs) an additional 10% has
been added to the total contract value for the purposes of the
Contract Notice. Therefore, the total value to be published in the
Contract Notice is £2.15m. The proposed 5-year framework
duration is to align with the national NHS Health Check Programme
which operates on a five-year rolling term. The Framework will use
a live price review mechanism to allow the Council to amend pricing
for each individual Lot in line with national guidance and local
Public Health strategy. Any price amendments or incentives will
only be agreed following discussion between Public Health,
Commissioning and Finance officers at the Council. All Providers
will be informed of any price changes and a contemporaneous log
will be maintained throughout the framework term.
 
It is recommended that the Executive Member
authorises the approval to award Framework Agreements (upon
completion of the tendering process) be delegated to the Director
of Public Health and Communities.
 

Reasons for the decision

 
Cumberland Council currently has contracts
with 39 General Practices for the provision of a range of Public
Health Services. The current Framework comprises 5 Lots:

Lot 1: Delivery of the national NHS
Health Check programme to registered patients
Lot 2: Screening and treatment of
asymptomatic  STI ( Level 1)
Lot 3: Assessment and treatment of
symptomatic  STI (Level 2)
Lot 4: Insertion and removal of
contraceptive hormonal implants
Lot 5: Insertion and removal of
intra-uterine contraceptive devices/systems (IUCD/S)

 
The current framework expires on
31st March 2024. In order to ensure continued access to
these vital services for the population of Cumberland,
authorisation is requested to begin procurement of a new
framework. 
 
The proposed framework will run for a
three-year term and have two optional 12-month extensions. The
total contract term would be 1st April 2024 to 31st
March 2029 at an estimated cost of £1.955m. Payment will be
made based on actual activity incurred by providers. The estimated
cost is calculated on current activity levels. The Framework will
continue to offer the five Lots outlined in 3.1. A dynamic payment
system will allow the Council to be responsive to national guidance
and local Public Health strategy.
 
A period of consultation was completed in July
2023 with all General Practices in Cumberland invited to be
involved. Feedback received during consultation suggests the
current Framework is adequately meeting the needs of the
population, therefore amendments to the current service
specification and scope of the Framework will be minor. Clinicians
felt they would benefit from additional networking opportunities
and more local training to maintain competencies and to facilitate
cross-Practice working.
 
Public Health Officers were involved in the
facilitation of market engagement and will actively work with
General Practice to support training and networking opportunities
throughout the term of the Framework.
 

Alternative options considered

Option One (recommended):
Approve:
1) Permission to procure a Flexible Open Framework for the
Provision of Public Health Services in General Practice comprising
5 Lots;
2) Agree a live price review mechanism to allow the Framework to be
responsive to national guidance and/or local public health
strategy;
3) Subsequent award of framework contracts be delegated to the
Director of Public Health and Communities following the tender
process.
 
Option Two: Approve permission to
procure a Flexible Open Framework for the Provision of Public
Health Services in General Practice, but not recommendations 2 or 3
as described in 4.1.
         
Option Three: Do not approve permission
to procure a Flexible Open Framework for the Provision of Public
Health Services in General Practice.