Councillor Lucia das Neves, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing, approved the acceptance of £200,000 in funding from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to deliver a pilot programme of workplace cardiovascular health checks. This decision also involved varying an existing contract with Haringey GP Federation to incorporate this new service.

Workplace Cardiovascular Health Checks Pilot

Councillor das Neves approved the acceptance of £200,000 in funding from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to launch a pilot programme offering cardiovascular health checks to the Haringey workforce. This funding will be used to vary the existing contract with Haringey GP Group Limited, trading as Haringey GP Federation, to deliver these workplace checks. The pilot is expected to run for 9 to 12 months, starting in July or August 2024, and will increase the total value of the contract with Haringey GP Federation to a maximum of £695,080.

The decision to accept the funding and vary the contract was made to upscale the council's current NHS Health Checks programme, targeting workplaces to reach eligible populations, including those outside the usual 40-74 age range and individuals who may be less likely to access traditional health services. The checks will identify early signs of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the second highest cause of mortality in Haringey after cancer. It is also anticipated that this initiative will contribute to a reduction in sickness absence and worklessness within Haringey's businesses.

The report highlighted that a full procurement process was not feasible due to the tight deadline for spending the DHSC funding, which is by March 31, 2025. Varying the existing contract with Haringey GP Federation was deemed the most viable option as they are already successfully delivering NHS Health Checks and have demonstrated confidence in their ability to meet the pilot's requirements. This approach also avoids duplication of resources and administrative costs.

The council could have chosen not to accept the grant, but this would have meant missing an opportunity to provide vital health checks to the Haringey workforce, particularly those in economically disadvantaged roles. The report also noted that Haringey Council is one of only six London boroughs to secure this particular funding.

The variation of the contract is permissible under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, as the modification does not materially change the contract's character and the cumulative value of the modification is below £500,000. The decision aligns with the Council Corporate Delivery Plan 2022/23 and 2023/24, specifically under Theme 4: Adults, Health and Welfare, aiming for a Haringey where all adults can live healthy and fulfilling lives.

The meeting also noted the filming at meetings notice, confirmed there were no apologies for absence, urgent business, declarations of interest, or deputations, petitions, or questions.