Decision details

To review the options and recommendations for the future commissioning of 0–19 Public Health Nursing Services (Health Visiting and School Nursing) from April 2018.

That the commissioning of a 0-19 Public Health Nursing Service incorporating Health Visiting and School Nursing be approved on the basis of a two-year contract duration (with provision for three separate one-year extensions) from 1 April 2018.  

That the procurement plan set out in exempt Annex A attached to the agenda papers be approved.

That the Executive Member for Adult Social Care Health & Housing be authorised to award the contract, subject to the recommended bid being within the available budget.

Ensuring adequate provision of Health Visiting and School Nursing support is a mandatory responsibility of the council. A new service contract is required to provide continuity of care from April 2018.

To not invest in the continued provision of Health Visiting or School Nursing services.  This would be likely to significantly undermine health outcomes and safeguarding as well as represent a false economy in relation to the resulting increased demand on other services.

To deliver public health nursing services ‘in house’ in a way that is integrated with other council run children’s services (for example: early help or social care).  Evidence from other areas indicates that it is likely to be an extremely complex process requiring significant management time and costs, with no evidence of any financial savings.

None.