Decision details

.To seek approval to make a direct award and enter into a new contract for locally commissioned service: Primary Care LARC by 1 year.
This will ensure continued provision of Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) via Primary Care (General Practices) for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 to align future commissioning activity for the Integrated Sexual Health Service (ISHS).
HCRG Care Group (previously Virgin Care Group) have been awarded the ISHS contract to commence from 1 April 2022, with the Provider assuming responsibility for the commissioning of the GP LARC offer from Year 2 of the contract (1 April 2023), subject to approval of their delivery model, as per the specification for the service.
The extension is required to bridge the 12 month gap whilst HCRG develop their GP LARC model, baseline, and precondition the model. The Council will transfer this element of the contract to HCRG in year 2 if assurances regarding readiness to deliver are in place.

RESOLVED - That:
Option B: Approve an exemption under Rule 21.3 (j) of the Contract Procedure Rule and to make a direct contract award for a term of 1 year to current service providers.
This will ensure continued provision of Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) via Primary Care (General Practices) currently delivering the service for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 to align commissioning activity for the Integrated Sexual Health Service and enable the Provider to develop the Primary Care LARC offer prior to transfer of commissioning responsibility. HCRG Care Group (previously Virgin Care Group) have been awarded the ISHS contract.
This is the recommended option. This will ensure that there is no break in provision whilst also allowing sufficient time
to bridge the 12 month gap whilst HCRG develop the Primary Care LARC model, baseline, and precondition the model. The Council will transfer this element of the contract to HCRG in year 2 if assurances regarding readiness to deliver are in place

Option A: At contract completion on 31 March 2022, Oldham cease to commission Primary Care LARC provision via General Practice.
This is not the recommended offer. There is increasing demand for the provision available via community pharmacy and to stop offering LARC via this route would risk widening health inequalities and could negatively impact on local population health and the borough’s sexual health outcomes, specifically in relation to under-18 conception rates, the number of unwanted pregnancies and the number of abortions (including repeat abortions).
Option B: Approve an exemption under Rule 21.3 (j) of the Contract Procedure Rule and to make a direct contract award for a term of 1 year to current service providers.
This will ensure continued provision of Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) via Primary Care (General Practices) currently delivering the service for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 to align commissioning activity for the Integrated Sexual Health Service and enable the Provider to develop the Primary Care LARC offer prior to transfer of commissioning responsibility. HCRG Care Group (previously Virgin Care Group) have been awarded the ISHS contract.
This is the recommended option. This will ensure that there is no break in provision whilst also allowing sufficient time
to bridge the 12 month gap whilst HCRG develop the Primary Care LARC model, baseline, and precondition the model. The Council will transfer this element of the contract to HCRG in year 2 if assurances regarding readiness to deliver are in place

Option A: At contract completion on 31 March 2022, Oldham cease to commission Primary Care LARC provision via General Practice.
This is not the recommended offer. There is increasing demand for the provision available via community pharmacy and to stop offering LARC via this route would risk widening health inequalities and could negatively impact on local population health and the borough’s sexual health outcomes, specifically in relation to under-18 conception rates, the number of unwanted pregnancies and the number of abortions (including repeat abortions).

Consultation has been undertaken with the Director of Public Health and Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care and Cabinet.
Consultation has also been undertaken with service users and residents as part of the Oldham, Rochdale and Bury Sexual Health Needs Assessment, the findings of which can be found here: http://www.oldham-council.co.uk/jsna/ORB-SHNA-2019