Preventx announced as E Service Preferred Bidder

London Sexual Health Transformation Programme – May Briefing

Welcome to the latest briefing from the London Sexual Health

Transformation Programme; the first to be issued by the new City of London Team who now lead the programme.

Preventx announced as E Service Preferred Bidder

After a comprehensive and very positive procurement exercise, the London Sexual Health Transformation Programme can now announce that Preventx has been chosen as the preferred bidder of the new online service. They will be the lead provider, but will bring in some additional support from Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust, LloydsPharmacy Limited and Zesty. Preventx have an excellent track record of providing high quality innovative services for patients and working in partnership with the NHS across the country.

Londoners, who want a check-up for sexually transmitted infections but have no symptoms, will now be able to access information online and register to receive testing kits allowing them, in some cases, to bypass clinic visits completely.

Commissioners should note that the final contractual arrangements are currently being undertaken with the Preferred Bidder and the City of London Team, and it is expected that this will take up to three weeks to complete.  Once this is finalised a further briefing will be given.

About Preventx

Preventx have won numerous awards and have experience of working in partnership with the NHS. For example, they current provide a fully integrated remote chlamydia screening service to over 100 Local Authority areas around England.
The new easy to use website will guide people through a risk assessment process to identify the most clinically appropriate tests for their individual needs. A self-sampling kit will then be posted to them which they can complete in the privacy of their own home, sealing it and dropping it off at a post box. Results will then be communicated by text or telephone.
The service will be rolled out across most of London over the next six months, with an emphasis on supporting people who currently attend clinics to use the online service to free up clinic space on the ground.
This new service is the result of a unique collaboration of 29 London boroughs who commission sexual health services and has been developed following comprehensive consultations with patients and clinicians,
Over 3000 people were consulted via focus groups, waiting room surveys and online questionnaires. This showed that many people who currently attend clinics would welcome an on line option.
Mike Cooke, Chief Executive of Camden and chair of the Transformation Programme said: “This is an excellent example of what local authorities can achieve when we work together. It is an important step forward as we develop sexual health services across London. 29 boroughs have worked together with clinicians and patients to ensure that we can deliver the best outcomes possible.”

City of London team

The team at the City of London Corporation who now lead the sexual health programme, and will hold the E-Service contract is taking shape. A part time Director role is currently out to advert but the following have joined the team recently.

Adrian Kelly – Lead Commissioner

Joins us from Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham where he worked on sexual health transformation including the introduction of e-service pathways within clinics. With extensive commissioning experience, Adrian has previously provided leadership for London’s Teenage Pregnancy strategy and was a champion of the condom distribution scheme for young people known as Come Correct. Grounded in practical experience, Adrian has an excellent understanding of safeguarding as it relates to sexual health in general and to female genital mutilation in particular.

Luke Byron-Davies – Commissioning Manager

Luke spent the last two years programme managing the sexual health transformation in North East London.  He has a wide variety of past commissioning experience within public health services, and notably has led on areas including primary care, sexual health (CaSH) and HIV services in Newham.   In addition to his commissioning experience, Luke has previously held roles in London and in the West Country managing a varied portfolio of services including democratic, strategic policy and community partnerships.

Joanne Forte – Contracts and Business Support Officer

Joanne has worked for City of London for the last 5 years as her department’s key financial lead. Whilst working as a Transport Manager for adults with physical disabilities, Joanne was part of the project team for the transformation of Adult Social Care agenda gaining a clear insight in commissioning and projects. Additionally, Joanne worked for the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) as a Programme Support Manager, leading and supporting a team of project coordinators within Adults, Children, Equalities, Culture and Sports to complete development and implementation of annual plans in line with budgets and program strategy.

To contact the team please email sexualhealth@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Channel Shift

This work stream, led by Uscreates and managed by the Channel Shift group, is continuing positively and a mid-project review was held recently.  The research stage of the project is now complete and a number of service users and clinic staff have been involved in this phase across a range of locations.  Preparations are now being made for three co design workshops; one with Preventx, one with service users and one with providers of physical clinics.  These will be used to test the research findings, develop messaging for the e service integration guides and website and begin discussion on recommendations for provider support.  The Channel Shift group has also been asked to examine the issues around branding and bring a range of proposals to the new Strategic Board for their consideration.  An extended meeting, with input from Uscreates and others was held this week to discuss options, best practice elsewhere and develop ideas.

======================================================
Please pass this briefing onto anyone who you think might be interested. If you would like to add anyone to the circulation list please send their details to sexualhealth@cityoflondon.gov.uk. These briefings will be issues regularly and at least quarterly. For any press or media enquiries please contact Mark Wall on 0790 999 3278 or mark@markwall.co.uk