Purpose

The County Council currently
commissions GP practices and community pharmacies in West Sussex to
provide the NHS Health Check Programme and smoking cessation
services. GP practices are also commissioned to provide Long Acting
Reversible Contraception (Contraceptive Implant and Intra-Uterine
Contraceptive Device), and community pharmacies to provide
Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) and Alcohol Identification
and Brief Advice (contract end date: 31 March 2025
OKD36 (24/25)).
 
In line with the conditions of
the Government’s Public Health Grant, local Authorities in
England are required to provide a number of mandated (prescribed)
functions to improve the health of their local population and
reduce inequalities. This includes the NHS Health Check Programme,
and provision of contraception services. Other requirements
(non-prescribed) for the use of the grant, include preventing and
reducing harm from alcohol misuse in adults.
 
The new arrangement will be
effective from 1 April 2026 and is proposed to run for three (3)
years with the possibility of a further extension of up to two (2)
years built into the terms of the contract. The Contract will be
funded through the Public Health Grant.
 
The Cabinet Member for Public
Health and Wellbeing will be asked to approve a Direct Award using
the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) which came into force on 1
January 2024, as part of regulations made under the Health and Care
Act 2022. PSR is a set of rules for procuring healthcare
services in England and is intended to increase flexibility and
collaboration in commissioning decisions.
 

Decision

The Cabinet Member for Public Health and
Wellbeing has approved;
 
1)  
following a compliant procurement process utilising Health and Care
Act Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Direct Award B, the award of
contract from 1st April 2026, for a period of 3 years,
with an option to extend for a further 2 years to secure delivery
of Public Health Services with Primary Care Providers; and
 
2)  
the delegated authority to the Director of Public Health to extend
this contract, upon expiry of the initial period, should this meet
best value and the requirements and expectations in relation to
service outcomes for residents.