Modern.gov Breadcrumb

Modern.gov Content

Agenda item

Direct award of substance use services in primary care

To seek permission to award a contract to GP practices and pharmacies from 1 April 2025, to deliver prescribing, supervised consumption, community detoxification and holistic health care, working in partnership with the main substance use provider. This award will be made in accordance with the NHS (National Health Service) Provider Selection Regime regulations, use of which are to be approved in line with the Council’s prevailing Procurement Rules.

 

Decision:

The Committee RESOLVED (unanimously):

1. To approve the proposal to direct award a substance use services contact to primary care in accordance with the requirements of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.

2. To authorise the Director: Communities and Public Health, with the Executive Director: Adult and Communities, in consultation with the Chair of the Public Health and Communities Policy Committee, to take all steps required to direct award the contracts for the provision of substance use services in primary care for a period of 5+2+2 years in accordance with the maximum budget envelopes outlined in the report.

3. To authorise the Director: Communities and Public Health, with the Executive Director: Adult and Communities, in consultation with Chair of the Public Health and Communities Policy Committee, to invoke any subsequent extensions/variations specifically defined in the contract(s) being awarded, up to the maximum budget envelope outlined in the report.

4. To note the consultation report at Appendix F.

 

 

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report (agenda item 8) that sought permission to award a contract to GP practices and pharmacies from 1April 2025 to deliver prescribing, supervised consumption, community detoxification and holistic health care, working in partnership with the main substance use provider.

 

The Chair commented that this was a key decision report, as the proposed decision involved spend of more than £500k and would have a significant impact on 2 or more wards in the city.

 

Summary of main points raised/noted in discussion of this item:

1. It was noted that the commissioning plan set out the intention to direct award to primary care for the provision of medical interventions and support from GPs for the main substance use services and the delivery of supervised consumption from pharmacists. These were services that could only be delivered at a population level by primary care providers.

 

2. In terms of the public consultation that had taken place on the Substance Use Commissioning Plan, it was confirmed that the key findings included:

- 80% of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed with the proposal to continue

the investment in community prescribing for adults via shared care and to bring together all other adult prescribing pathways into a single specialist prescribing pathway which would cater for the most complex clients.

- Respondents highlighted the need for services to be community based. The need to build recovery into the community was mentioned as well as the need for infrastructure and resource to provide community-based services.

- The importance of enhancing the role of primary care in shared care was highlighted as well as ensuring it was integrated effectively with the proposed specialist prescribing service.

 

3. In terms of the consultation survey, it was suggested that some of the questions could have been phrased in a more user-friendly way.  It was noted that in addition to the survey, a range of focus group sessions had also been used to seek feedback.

 

4. In relation to the consultation report (Appendix F), a concern was raised that in terms of the ethnicity of respondents, there were no responses recorded from individuals identifying as Black/Black British.  It was noted that in response to this, officers would look to refine the consultation approach and take advice on the best way to reach communities more effectively in relation to future, similar consultations, noting the importance of maximising the engagement of the city’s diverse communities.

 

5. In response to a question, it was noted that liaison was taking place with Children andFamilies, and Education and Skills teams related to bringing targeted services for childrenand young people into scope.

 

6. In relation to the equalities impact assessment, it was noted that there was a reference to research showing that LGBTQ+ people face widespread discrimination in healthcare settings, with one in seven LGBTQ+ people avoiding the seeking of healthcare for fear of discrimination from staff.  It was noted that a number of interventions were being taken to address this issue, including improved communications and assurance around the safety of healthcare settings.

 

The Chair then moved the recommendations set out in the report. Councillor Clarke seconded this motion.

 

The Committee RESOLVED (unanimously):

1. To approve the proposal to direct award a substance use services contact to primary care in accordance with the requirements of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.

2. To authorise the Director: Communities and Public Health, with the Executive Director: Adult and Communities, in consultation with the Chair of the Public Health and Communities Policy Committee, to take all steps required to direct award the contracts for the provision of substance use services in primary care for a period of 5+2+2 years in accordance with the maximum budget envelopes outlined in the report.

3. To authorise the Director: Communities and Public Health, with the Executive Director: Adult and Communities, in consultation with Chair of the Public Health and Communities Policy Committee, to invoke any subsequent extensions/variations specifically defined in the contract(s) being awarded, up to the maximum budget envelope outlined in the report.

4. To note the consultation report at Appendix F.

 

 

Supporting documents: