Issue details

The County Council currently commissions GP practices and community pharmacies in West Sussex to provide the NHS Health Check Programme and smoking cessation services. GP practices are also commissioned to provide Long Acting Reversible Contraception (Contraceptive Implant and Intra-Uterine Contraceptive Device), and community pharmacies to provide Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) and Alcohol Identification and Brief Advice (contract end date: 31 March 2025 OKD36 (24/25)).

In line with the conditions of the Government’s Public Health Grant, local Authorities in England are required to provide a number of mandated (prescribed) functions to improve the health of their local population and reduce inequalities. This includes the NHS Health Check Programme, and provision of contraception services. Other requirements (non-prescribed) for the use of the grant, include preventing and reducing harm from alcohol misuse in adults.

The new arrangement will be effective from 1 April 2026 and is proposed to run for three (3) years with the possibility of a further extension of up to two (2) years built into the terms of the contract. The Contract will be funded through the Public Health Grant.

The Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing will be asked to approve a Direct Award using the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) which came into force on 1 January 2024, as part of regulations made under the Health and Care Act 2022. PSR is a set of rules for procuring healthcare services in England and is intended to increase flexibility and collaboration in commissioning decisions.