Online - STI Testing

Tender description

NOTIFICATION OF INTENTION TO AWARD: The Royal Borough of Kingston is intending to award a contract to an existing provider following Direct Award Process C of the UK Health Care Services (PSR) Regs 2023 for STI online testing service for 16 - 24 age group in Kingston. The service also provides for referrals to other health organisations. STI testing kits are made available to pharmacies, youth services and the school health team in the borough. The service is managed by the Your Healthcare Contraception and Sexual Health Service (CASH). This local management is a valued aspect of the service and ensures patients who test positive via the online service are seamlessly transferred into local services. Lot 1: NOTIFICATION OF INTENTION TO AWARD: The Royal Borough of Kingston is intending to award a contract to an existing provider following Direct Award Process C of the UK Health Care Services (PSR) Regs 2023 for STI online testing service for 16 - 24 age group in Kingston. REASONS FOR THE AWARD DECISION IN FAVOUR OF THE CHOSEN SUPPLIER: -Key criteria assessment was undertaken in accordance with the Health Care Services (PSR) Regs 2023 -The assessment was made in accordance with Direct Award Process C -The key criteria used to assess the existing provider's current and future performance were based on Annex D of The Provider Selection Regime Statutory Guidance with a focus on: - safety - effectiveness - positive experience - well-led - sustainably resourced - equitable - innovation Particular focus was given to the benefits of the integration of the current service. The services are rendered in partnership with the NHS and local authorities. The current service is integrated with our local Contraception and Sexual Health (CASH) service, who work with FTM to manage any positive cases identified via the online service. Additionally, FTM works in partnership with local pharmacies, school health team and youth services to provide them with STI testing kits that can be given to residents. Despite being an online service, FTM is well integrated with services in Kingston. This integration create a seamless pathway for residents. Considerable marketing efforts have been made targeting residents to reach the current stage where there is an increased level of uptake of the services. This helps reduce health inequalities and enables the service to reach high risk groups and residents that have a reluctance to engage with sexual health services. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: No conflict of interest was found to exist in reaching the decision to award. A declaration of no Conflict of interest was completed and signed by evaluators appointed to make a decision as well as specific persons in an influential position. The signed declarations are held in our files.