The Officer Key Decision meeting on Wednesday 5 August 2026 approved the activation of a two-year contract extension for GP Public Health Services. This extension will allow the Newham Health Collaborative (NHC) to continue providing essential health services across the borough.

Permission to Activate Two-Year Contract Extension for GP Public Health Services

Fiona Connolly, Corporate Director of Adults, approved the activation of a two-year contract extension for GP Public Health Services, provided by the Newham Health Collaborative (NHC). This decision, which is subject to call-in, will see the contract extended from 1 October 2026 for an additional two years, with a maximum annual value of £850,000, totalling £1,700,000 over the extension period.

The rationale for this extension is based on the NHC's track record of delivering excellent results for statutory NHS Health Checks (NHSHCs), which are a prescribed function, and for other related services such as sexual health and substance misuse. These services are designed to improve resident access, manage demand on specialist clinics, and achieve financial efficiencies for the Council. GPs in Newham are considered trusted local providers, reflecting the diverse population and uniquely positioned to deliver these services, particularly those with a 'Call/Recall' model.

The report highlighted that NHC has consistently met or exceeded targets for NHSHCs, with Newham frequently being the top-performing Local Authority in England for the proportion of eligible patients receiving these checks. Performance has also been strong for Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) and Chlamydia Screening, with activity broadly increasing year-on-year under the current contract. Furthermore, GPs have delivered over 11,500 HIV screening tests since April 2023, identifying 14 new cases. The Shared Care Service has also consistently supported approximately 40 individuals receiving opioid substitution therapy.

While performance is generally strong, the report identified areas for development, including consistency of geographic provision and uptake of NHSHCs among men and residents of 'White Other' ethnicity. To address these, the Council will collaborate with eastern European and Black African residents and community organisations to encourage greater uptake of NHSHCs and HIV screening.

The decision aligns with Newham's '50 Steps' Health and Wellbeing Strategy, specifically supporting steps related to reducing long-term conditions, improving early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, promoting safe relationships and sexual health, and supporting recovery from alcohol and drug misuse.

Alternative options considered included a competitive tender process, which was rejected due to a lack of genuine market competition, and re-procuring via a direct award, which carried the risk of increased tariff prices due to inflationary pressures. Community-based delivery of NHSHCs was also considered but deemed not to be the best use of the budget at this time, although the contract includes an option for future community-based provision.

Residents have expressed a preference for accessing public health services via GPs, with a survey indicating that most women using or interested in LARC would prefer future fittings via their GP. Mystery shopping and engagement with sexual health service users also confirmed the value of GPs as an access point for STI screening and contraception.

Financially, the extension commits the Council to a maximum cost of £0.785m per annum, funded from the Public Health Grant. Delivery through GP settings offers significant cost efficiencies, with an estimated cost avoidance of approximately £0.285m in 2025/26. Extending the contract provides cost certainty, avoids procurement costs, and mitigates the risk of higher future tariffs. The contract was originally awarded via direct award under PCR15¹, and the extension option was included in the initial tender.