URL: https://councillors.knowsley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=7760

Decision Maker: Executive Director Resources (Stephan Van Arendsen) and Assistant Executive Director Public Health (Sarah McNulty)

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to seek permission, in accordance with PSR23 Regulations 6(3) and 8 (Direct Award Process A)to award a contract without competition for infant feeding support for Knowsley women on the ward at the Liverpool Women’s University Hospital and to issue an award notice.   The justification for this decision, as required by the relevant regulations is that the Council is satisfied that:   Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust is the existing provider of the health care services to which the proposed contracting arrangements relate; the healthcare services to which the proposed contracting arrangements relate can only be provided by the existing provider, due to the nature of the healthcare services; and the type of service means there is no realistic alternative to the current provider.

Content: The purpose of this report is to seek permission, in accordance with PSR23 Regulations 6(3) and 8 (Direct Award Process A)to award a contract without competition for infant feeding support for Knowsley women on the ward at the Liverpool Women’s University Hospital and to issue an award notice.   The justification for this decision, as required by the relevant regulations is that the Council is satisfied that:   Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust is the existing provider of the health care services to which the proposed contracting arrangements relate; the healthcare services to which the proposed contracting arrangements relate can only be provided by the existing provider, due to the nature of the healthcare services; and the type of service means there is no realistic alternative to the current provider. (i)         That in accordance with regulation 6(3) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 a contract for the provision of infant feeding support for Knowsley women on the ward in the Liverpool Women’s University Hospital without competition (under Direct Award Process A);   (ii)        That in accordance with regulation 8 of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 an award notice, as set in Appendix A to the report be issued for publication on the UK e-notification service, indicating the award to Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust for the provision of infant feeding support for Knowsley women on the ward at the Liverpool Women’s University Hospital from 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2027; and   (iii)       That the Procurement Team be authorised to make the necessary arrangements for the issue of the relevant contract documentation.   Do Nothing: This option was considered and rejected as the Family Hubs Delivery Plan has already been approved by National Government, which includes the detailed plans for enhancing our infant feeding services, part of which is the provision for equitable support for breastfeeding across all hospitals.   Deliver in house: This option was considered and rejected because there are no appropriate staff or current services within the local authority that can be utilised for this purpose.   Alternative Provider Selection Regime Processes: Direct Award Process B – This was rejected as due to the nature of this service, there is no choice but to follow Direct Award Process A. In addition, this hospital-based infant feeding service is limited to just one provider.   Direct Award Process C - This was rejected as due to the nature of this service, there is no choice but to follow Direct Award Process A. In addition, this hospital-based stop infant feeding service is limited to just one provider.   Most Suitable Provider Process - This was rejected as due to the nature of this service, there is no choice but to follow Direct Award Process A. In addition, hospital-based stop intermediate stop smoking service pharmacy provision is limited to just one provider.   Competitive Process –The option to recommission this service and go out for quotation / tender was rejected as due to the nature of this service, there is no choice but to follow Direct Award Process A. Women’s NHS Foundation Trust are sole providers in a unique position due to the nature of this specific service. This service is for ward patients in receipt of Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust services.

Date of Decision: October 23, 2025