Issue - meetings

NELFT declared a Pecuniary Interest in this item and took no part in the discussion or decision.

Matthew Cole presented the report and explained that the Healthy Child 5 to 19 Programme was a mandated public health programme, the responsibility for which was transferred to the Council on 1 April 2013.  The Programme offered school aged children a schedule of health and development reviews, screening tests, immunisations and health promotion.  The services also provided tailored support for children and families.  The contract for the Healthy Child 5 to 19 Programme services was due to expires on 31 March 2016 and there was no provision for further extension.

The responsibility for the Healthy Child 0 to 5 Programme had also transferred to the Council in October 2015.  This had provided the Council with the opportunity to join up the commissioning of 0 to 5 and 5 to 19 Programmes into one fully integrated service.  To enable the co-commissioning and creation of the new service it would be necessary to enter into a direct contract with NELFT for the 5 to 19 Programme for a six month period, 1 April to 30 September 2016, in accordance with the procurement strategy and details set out in the report. 

The Board:

(i)  Waived the requirement to tender for the commissioning of the Healthy Child 5-19 Programme, in accordance with the Council’s Contract Rules; and

(ii)  Delegated authority to the Strategic Director Service Development and Improvement and Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Director of Public Health, Corporate Director of Children’s Services, Strategic Director, Finance and Investment, and the Director of Law and Governance, to enter into a direct contract for six months for Healthy Child 5-19 Programme to NELFT from 1 April 2016 until 30September 2016, in accordance with the strategy set out in the report.