Decision details

RESOLVED that

i.         The procurement route for of provision of Long-Acting Reversible

Contraception (LARC) service, and the Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) Service is agreed.

ii.         Bracknell Forest continues to host the contracting of LARC and EHC for the 3 local authorities across Berkshire East (Bracknell Forest, Slough and Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead).

       i.         Local authorities commission LARC and EHC services as part of their responsibility for commissioning sexual health services (part of the public health grant functions). LARC includes the fitting and removal of Intra-uterine devices and systems and the EHC service is targeted to women aged 15-24 to ensure provision of a sexual health consultation alongside the provision of emergency contraception. The cost of the services are free to the patients.

     ii.         These services are offered in addition to the specialist integrated sexual health service provision to increase patient choice in the settings through which patients can access contraception. GPs are the main provider outside of specialist sexual health settings to provide LARC and pharmacies are the main provider commissioned to provide an EHC service. This is because of the staffing and facilities needed to provide these services. These services are intricately linked to the provision in the specialist setting because insufficient provision in either service area could impact patient flows into the

specialist setting.

    iii.         Bracknell Forest Council is the commissioning authority for the specialist sexual health service, and it has been agreed by the Chief Executives of Bracknell Forest Council, Slough Borough Council and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead that the current public health shared team functions for leadership, commissioning and contract management of this service area remains in Bracknell Forest. It is on this basis that the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and Slough Borough Council have agreed to continue the arrangement with Bracknell Forest Council hosting if Bracknell Forest are willing. This is advantageous all round as the EHC and LARC service provision impacts the flow of patients requiring the specialist service, so having oversight across supports governance and oversight of this service area.

    iv.         Local authorities are one of the relevant authorities (RA) required to follow PSR when procuring health care services, irrespective of whether the providers are from the NHS, independent or the voluntary sector. PSR replaced Public Contracts Regulations 2015 when arranging health care services. Services within scope include sexual health services arranged by local authorities.

     v.         While the LARC and EHC primary care services (meaning in primary care settings) have previously been commissioned with primary care providers, the provision through PSR will mean that any provider that meet the requirements can request a Contract (i.e., including both private and community sector providers). Current providers will be notified to register their Expression of Interest on the portal. A Prior Indication Noticed (PIN) will be issued to the marketplace to notify all potential providers of the opportunity.

    vi.         The opportunity will be advertised on the following websites:-

3.6.1. Find A Tender

3.6.2. Contracts Finder

3.6.3. South East Business Portal

   vii.         The provisions of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations will not apply on expiry of the current contractual arrangements

To not complete and leave Berkshire East without a LARC provision is not an option

as providing access to contraception is part of the prescribed functions of the local

authority grant. Providing access to EHC for women aged 13-24 is important to reduce the risk of teenage pregnancy and encourage adoption of contraception to reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancy

None