Agenda item

Report ECHS19067

The Committee considered a report setting out the proposed joint response to changes in policy landscape in relation to the plan, proposed in the 16 January 2019 Executive report, to jointly commission a new service that incorporated both the community wellbeing and specialist clinical CAMHS services currently commissioned in Bromley.

The contract for the Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Service had been held by Bromley Y since 1^st December 2014 following a competitive tender process for a three year contract with the option to extend for a further two years.  The two year extension option was applied.  On 16 January 2019 Executive approval was granted to extend the contract term further, via an exemption, from 1 December 2019 to 31 May 2020. 

The contract, held by the Council, worked alongside the local clinical and community mental health services for children and young people commissioned and procured by Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group (BCCG), delivered primarily by NHS Oxleas but also by Bromley Y.  The services commissioned by the Council and BCCG provided a pathway for children and young people’s mental health support in the Borough.

On 7 January 2019, the NHS long-term plan (NHS LTP) was published, setting out key ambitions for the NHS over the next 10 years. Among the policy directives revealed in the LTP were: the intention for partnerships of commissioners and providers to lead Integrated Care Partnerships (ICPs) and a reduced necessity for market testing and competitive procurement in favour of collaborative work such as alliances and other partnerships.  In light of these significant changes in national policy, BCCG have confirmed to the London Borough of Bromley (LBB) that there will no longer be circumstances in the near term in which they would wish to re-procure the NHS Oxleas contract, including the Children and Adolescent Mental Health service (CAMHs).

A Member noted that whilst the contract with Bromley Y had been very successful there was still a gap of a minimum of 6 weeks if children needed intervention.  The Member stressed that there needed to be a focus on closing this gap as any child experiencing severe mental health difficulties required support and gaps in the provision of support could have a negative impact.

RESOLVED: That the Executive be recommended to:

1. Agree the award of a further short term contract to Bromley Y, via an exemption to competitive tendering, for ten months from 1 June 2020 to 31 March 2021. This will ensure sufficient time for a successful tender process and adequate time for the production of a new service specification, while maintaining continuity of service and support to vulnerable young people. It will also avoid the disruption of the NHS England funded Trailblazer which is currently due to finish in March 2021.

2. Agree the proposal for proceeding to procurement of an integrated Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (Tier 1 & 2 only) with an initial contract term of five years, with two options to extend for two periods of up to two years each, making a total potential contract term of nine years. The contract will be procured with funding from both BCCG and LBB.

3. Note that BCCG have given a commitment to provide resources to support the procurement and contract management of the Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, as well as the transfer of core costs and NHS England Trailblazer funds to LBB in a joint funding agreement in accordance with Section 75 of the NHS Act 2006.