Purpose

To implement interim contractual arrangements with regard to the contracts the Council holds with Primary Care Sheffield (PCS) and the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (STHNHSFT) for the delivery of sexual health services, to ensure delivery of effective services until 31st March 2028 and to allow a full reprocurement process to be undertaken.   

Decision

The Executive Director of Public Health and Integrated Commissioning approves:

a)

An extension to the current contract delivered by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (STHNHSFT) for the delivery of sexual health services, extending the end date of the contract from 31st July 2027 to 31st March 2028.

b)

An extension to the current contract delivered by Primary Care Sheffield (PCS) for the delivery of sexual health services, extending the end date of the contract from 31st July 2027 to 31st March 2028.

c)

An increase of both contract values by 5% for the eight months extension period between 1st August 2027 to 31st March 2028

Reasons for the decision

This proposal will allow sufficient time for a full retender process to be followed to secure new contracts for the future delivery of sexual and reproductive health services in Sheffield.  Putting interim arrangements in place will ensure the continued delivery of a comprehensive range of sexual health services for the people of Sheffield and will ensure the Council continues to deliver its statutory duty to provide effective public health services. 

Alternative options considered

Alternative Option 1:

Do not extend the current contracts and attempt to run a shortened procurement process with recognition that the specifications won’t be as considered, detailed and finalised as they need to be.

Explanation of why this option was rejected:

• Only an option if existing staff team in place.
• An incomplete service specification impacts negatively on the future contract, bids and quality of future service.
• At this stage, unacceptable compromises on quality would have had to be made.
• Potential serious failings in the procurement process resulting in either significant legal or financial challenge OR appointing an unsuitable provider(s) leading to ineffective delivery and poor outcomes for Sheffield residents.

Alternative Option 2:

Do not extend the current contract in favour of reviewing all procurement timescales.

Explanation of why this option was rejected:

• Too greater in impact legal and procurement colleague’s workloads, meaning unmanageable timescales.
• Procurement colleagues subject to CPCM restructures so uncertainly in jobs roles to deliver this work.
• This would reduce the mobilisation period awarded to the new contract providers, meaning compromises on quality would be made.