DN534330 Post Natal Depression Service

Tender description

A final 12 month exemption is requested to sustain existing key provision, while the preferred service option effective from 1st April 2022, is selected and implemented. Previous exemptions have been approved to enable assessment as to mainstreaming PND provision through the Health Visitor service (current provider Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust –Community Services (MCFT)). This was seen as a potential route within the Maternity pathway to ensure PND provision to NHS Trusts and Primary Care for this vulnerable client group could be sustained. However the process became protracted, initially due to legal delays and organisational changes (overseen by NHS England), in transferring services (including Health Visitor (HV) service), to current provider which delayed engagement. Then the onset of the pandemic and Lockdown 1.0 meant HV services went into ‘Business Critical’ delivery mode only. From late 2020/21 Quarter 3 HV service has commenced a return to ‘business as usual’. Currently the lead Consultant in Public Health (for Children, Young People & Vulnerable People) together with the Public Health Advanced Practitioner (for Children, Young People & Vulnerable People) are completing an options appraisal paper and recommendation as to preferred service option. Final decision will be made early April 2021. The options under consideration are: •OPTION 1 Local LCC procurement with provider selected by Q3, and mobilisation during Q4, with service to commence on 1st April 2022 •OPTION 2 Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust – Community Services. By Contract Variation and revised service specification with Health Visitor service. Incorporating delivery of Post Natal Depression (PND) provision within 0-19 pathway. •OPTION 3 Liverpool CCG (LCCG), LCC Children & Young People’s Service and other health agencies. As co-commissioner to an LCCG led contract which incorporates PND within the peri-natal pathway developments. The selected option will then be progressed as appropriate, under LCC terms and conditions (Option1), or aligned with the NHS standard contract under the LCC/LCCG Section 75 Agreement (Options 2 & 3).