Pathology provision to support an online sexually transmitted infections testing service

Concepts

• health services
• southampton
• pathology services
• head commissioners).the service
• mental health services
• full sti testing
• free sti testing
• sexual health
• the commissioned sexual health service
• the online sti testing service

Location

Southampton

Description

The STI pathology provision is part of the Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton Level 3 Integrated Sexual Health service specification commissioned by the respective Local Authorities (Head commissioners).The service provides the processing of diagnostic samples by laboratory. The online STI testing service is required to support the mandated open access sexual health services, which includes access to free STI testing and treatment and partner notification.The online STI testing service supports patients that do not attend the commissioned Sexual Health service in person and low risk asymptomatic patients that attend clinics.Services provided include:1) An online risk assessment tool enabling clients to request screening for HIV, Syphilis, Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea. Hepatitis B cAB and Hepititis C antibodies for men who have sex with men.2) Full STI testing for anyone over the age of 16. 15–24-year-old for Chlamydia only testing.3) Provision and dispatch of postal STI kits. 4) Results processing via a results management system and patient text messaging service.

Total Quantity or Scope

Solent NHS Trust are completing a Direct Award to The Doctor’s Laboratory for the provision of an online sexually transmitted infections testing service for a period of 12 months.

Award Detail

CPV Codes

• 85100000 - Health services
• 85111800 - Pathology services

Indicators

• Award on basis of price and quality.

Legal Justification

The current STI pathology contract and the overarching Level 3 Integrated Sexual Health contract are both due to expire on 31/03/2024. Following a recent procurement process, Solent NHS Trust has been awarded a new commissioning contract to deliver the Level 3 Integrated Sexual Health services for Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton from 01/04/2024 to 31/03/2031 with the option for a 2-year extension. Recognising the need to mobilise the new Integrated Level 3 Sexual Health service, which requires significant transformation, Solent NHS Trust has considered the need to ensure clients have access to an online STI testing and kit ordering provision during the transition period. During 2024, Solent NHS Trust will be reviewing options for commissioning a long-term arrangement through a compliant process in accordance with the Public Contract Regulations and/or the new Provider Selection Regime.It is therefore Solent NHS Trust's intention to award a 12-month contract to The Doctor’s Laboratory. The contract value is based on cost and volume activity and is indicative. All communications should be made via the email address provided.If any provider has concerns with the commissioning intentions outlined within the published documentation, please raise this via the email address provided in the first instance within 10 days of the date of this Notice.

Other Information

Work is currently underway to bring together community and mental health services across Hampshire and Isle of Wight into a single NHS provider organisation from 01 April 2024.When Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is created by certain statutory transactions taking effect on 01 April 2024 (subject to NHS England and Department of Health and Social Care approval), the relevant property and liabilities of the current authority (Solent NHS Trust) will transfer to the new organisation. Essentially, the only confirmed change to take effect from 01 April will be that the name of ‘Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’ will appear where previously Solent NHS Trust would have been named’