The Delegated Decisions by Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities meeting, held on Tuesday 3 February 2026, approved the business case for the recommissioning of the Integrated Sexual Health Service (ISHS). This decision will allow the council to proceed with the procurement of a new contract for this essential service.

Integrated Sexual Health Service Contract - Business Case Approval

The most significant decision made at the meeting was the approval of the business case for the recommissioning of the Integrated Sexual Health Service (ISHS). This service is a legally mandated public health service that Oxfordshire County Council is responsible for commissioning. The current contract with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUHFT) is due to end on 31 March 2027.

Councillor Kate Gregory, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequalities, approved the recommendation to:

• Approve the Business Case and the option to recommission the ISHS based on the current tariff-based payment model and using the Provider Selection Regime (PSR).
• Delegate authority to the Director of Public Health and Communities to approve the recommission of the ISHS Contract for 5+3 years from 1st April 2027.

The ISHS provides free, open-access services including sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as a range of reproductive health care services. The service is delivered through nine healthcare settings across Oxfordshire, including primary care and acute sites, and also offers online and self-care options. The current annual contract value is a maximum of £5,600,000, funded by the Public Health Grant.

The report highlighted that the recommissioning aligns with several key council priorities, including tackling inequalities, improving children and young people's health, and creating a healthier Oxfordshire, as outlined in the Council's Strategic Plan 2025-2028. It also supports the principles of the Marmot Place Programme, aiming for a fairer and healthier Oxfordshire. Nationally, the service contributes to the Public Health Outcomes Framework and aligns with ambitions set out in the Department of Health and Social Care's publications on sexual and reproductive health and HIV.

The decision to recommission the service using the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) was made in accordance with the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. The council considers the conditions are met to directly award the contract under the PSR's Direct Award Process C, as OUHFT is not an excluded provider.

The report also addressed financial, legal, staff, equality, inclusion, sustainability, and risk management implications. The financial implications are covered by the ringfenced Public Health Grant. Legally, the council has a statutory duty under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to provide these services. Equality impact assessments have been conducted, noting that good sexual health is not equally distributed and the ISHS aims to address this. Sustainability implications were also considered, with a Climate Impact Assessment completed. Risks identified, such as reputational damage from contract expiry and negative health and wellbeing impacts, are mitigated by proceeding with the recommissioning.

The decision was approved subject to call-in, meaning it could be reviewed by the appropriate Scrutiny Committee before becoming effective at the end of the working day on 6 February 2026.

Other Business

The meeting also formally approved the minutes of the previous meeting held on 7 October 2025. There were no questions from county councillors or requests for petitions and public address submitted for this meeting. Declarations of interest were also noted as none.