Issue - meetings

Report CS17018

The Council currently contracted for a range of community sexual health services from Bromley Healthcare (BHC) through a joint block contract with the Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). The Contract for Community Contraceptive and Sexual Health Services had been extended for 6 months by the Executive on the 23 March 2016, and was due to expire on 30 September 2017.  The report sought approval to re-procure a Sexual Health Early Intervention Service to commence on 1 October 2017.

The proposals had been considered and supported by Care Services PDS Committee on 28^th June 2016.

RESOLVED that

(1) The commissioning approach for a Sexual Health Early Intervention Service as set out in the report and detailed in paragraph 3.22 be approved.

(2) Investment from the existing budget of £30k per annum for the online STI testing service be approved.

(3) The recurring saving of £60k from decommissioning the Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) programme which will contribute towards the reduction of grant be noted. 

Report CS17018

The Portfolio Holder presented a report outlining a gateway review undertaken of a range of community contraceptive and sexual health services which were currently delivered via a joint block contract with the Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group which would end on 30^th September 2017, and seeking approval to re-procure a Sexual Health Early Intervention Service to commence on 1^st October 2017.

The Local Authority had a statutory obligation to commission comprehensive, open access and free sexual health services, including Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing and treatment, partner notification and contraception provision.  To meet these obligations, the Local Authority commissioned a range of sexual health services from different providers in different settings.  The block contract the Local Authority had with Bromley Healthcare for Contraception and Community Sexual Health Service would end on 30^th September 2017 after which services would have to be re-tendered in accordance with the Local Authority’s contract procedure rules. 

In considering proposed future commissioning arrangements for these services, two options had been explored and it was recommended that Option 2 be progressed as this would restructure existing services and build in extra capacity within the existing budget, as well as allow a level of integration which would support a wider and more sustainable prevention programme to empower individuals to take responsibility of their own health and wellbeing.  It would also enable the Local Authority to meet its statutory obligations.  Under this option, the local school-based Sex and Relationships Education programme which was not a statutory function would be decommissioned allowing schools to develop their own more ‘issue specific’ programmes as part of the Personal, Health and Social Education curriculums and realising a potential saving of £60k per annum.

In response to a question from the Chairman, the Assistant Director: Public Health confirmed that the online STI testing service was restricted to people aged over 25 years who were identified at being in an ‘at risk’ group and that eligibility was assessed via a questionnaire to ensure the kits were provided to those who were most in need.  The programme was subject to stringent information governance criteria to protect client confidentiality and regular tests were undertaken to ensure security remained robust.

A Co-opted Member was concerned at the abortion rate in the Borough.  The Assistant Director: Public Health advised that work to promote the use of Long Acting Reversible Contraception was ongoing, and that options for contraception were discussed with women following abortion. 

RESOLVED that the Council’s Executive be recommended to:

1)  Approve Option 2 as the commissioning approach for a Sexual Health Early Intervention Service;

2)  Consider the investment from the existing budget of £30k per annum for the online Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing service; and,

3)  Note the recurring saving of £60k from decommissioning the Sex and Relationships Education (SRE) programme and that the saving would contribute towards the reduction of grant.