Agenda item - Public Health Nursing Commissioning Strategy

Report of the Director of Public Health (copy attached).

63.1         The Public Health Programme Manager introduced the report which detailed the re-commissioning of the Public Health Community Nursing services for the delivery of the Healthy Child Programme 0-19 years from the 1^st April 2017.  She noted that a competitive procurement process would be undertaken with a view to providing a more flexible service and that a transition plan was being drawn up with the current provider Sussex Community Trust (SCT).  Depending on the outcome of the procurement process a tender exercise may need to be held otherwise it was expected that the revised service would be provided by SCT.

63.2         The Board noted the report and expressed concerns over the potential decommissioning of the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) programme and the overall 18% reduction in resources.  Members were concerned that there could be safeguarding issues in respect of children.

63.3         The Director of Public Health stated that the FNP service had come out of an American model which differed from the situation in England.  There were opportunities to improve the overall service provision and reduce costs and he was disappointed that the recommissioning of the service had been affected by a change in the law.  There was a risk that experienced staff would be lost as a result however there was a need to follow the required process.

63.4         The Chair of the Children’s Safeguarding Board sated that there were risks associated with changes to delivery models, and these would need to be taken into consideration in terms of safeguarding arrangements that were in place across the city.

63.5         RESOLVED:

(1)          That the Director of Public Health be granted delegated authority to place a Prior Information Notice pursuant to the requirements of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and to carry out a competitive procurement process if alternative providers come forward;

(2)          That if no alternative providers come forward, the Director of Public Health be granted delegated authority to lead a collaborative re-design process and contract negotiation with the current provider, Sussex Community NHS Trust (SCT); and

(3)          That a further report on the outcome of the process outlined above be brought to the Health & Wellbeing Board prior to the award of a new contract.