Agenda item

Report from the Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health.

Recommendations

1.    To note the good progress made on the recommissioning process against the timeline agreed in March 2021.

2.    To note the parallel timeline of the Health and Care Bill, and its implications in respect of the proposed removal of the current rules for NHS and public health service commissioners when arranging clinical healthcare services.

Consideration was given to the report which provided an agreed update on the recommissioning of Public Health Children’s Nursing Services, including an update on procurement options and the specification.

In March, 2021, Cabinet agreed to extend the current contract to March, 2023 with the tender for the new contract due to be published in April, 2022. Since March, 2021 a project group had been established, a needs assessment had been completed, two drafts of the specification had been completed and there had been a period of public consultation.

The specification briefing was attached to the report at Appendix 1 and reflected changes to the guidance in relation to Health Visiting and School Nursing.

A market engagement event held in September, 2021 indicated a reasonable market interest and engagements from a variety of Providers. There were proposed reforms to Provider selection for NHS Services and these would form part of the consideration if implemented prior to the publication of the tender.

The final decision on how to procure the service would be delegated to the Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health and the relevant Cabinet Member.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the good progress made on the recommissioning process against the timeline agreed in March 2021 be noted.

(2)  That the parallel timeline of the Health and Care Bill, and its implications in respect of the proposed removal of the current rules for NHS and Public Health Service commissioners when arranging clinical healthcare services be noted.