URL: https://cds.bromley.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=11233

Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content:   Report ACH26-027   The report sought permission to re-procure the 0-19 Public Health nursing services (health visiting and school nursing) via Provider Selection Regime competitive tender process.   The contract commenced 1st October 2020 and was scheduled to expire 30th September 2027 and there were no options to extend the contract beyond that date.  This contract was delivered by Bromley Healthcare with a current annual contract value of £4.049m per annum and a whole life contract value of £28.343m.  The current contract value was one of the lowest in London for 0-19 Public Health Nursing services for a contract that delivered some of the highest outcomes in London.  These outcomes were detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.   A small contract for Supervised Toothbrushing (£36k) was included although the mandate for this programme ended September 2030.  This contract was held by Public Health, funded through the Public Health grant.  It was proposed to also include this contract in the 0-19 Public Health Nursing contract from 1st October 2027.  The proposed contract would include a termination clause for this element of the service on 30th September 2030.   This contract brought together Health Visitors (0–4 years), School Nurses (5–19 years), the screening team (National Child Measurement Programme and vision screening) and the Supervised Toothbrushing programme into one integrated service that delivered the Healthy Child Programme, offering universal health checks, developmental reviews, advice, early intervention, and targeted support for families.   All elements of the 0-19 Public Health Nursing Services were statutory and mandated except for vision screening, details of which were provided in Section 3.17.   The Healthy Child Programme was the core national framework for delivering 0-19 public health nursing services (health visiting and school nursing).  The refreshed Healthy Child Programme was a modernised, clearer, evidence-based blueprint for how Health Visitors and School Nurses should deliver prevention, early intervention, and family support.  It included updated delivery guidance, commissioning guidance, and a high-impact area framework and required additional resources to be provided to comply with these requirements.  The Department for Health and Social Care had also issued new operational standards that local 0-19 Public Health Nursing services were expected to comply with.   Public Health proposed to re-procure this contract, in line with timescales detailed in Section 4.4 at an annual contract value of £5.080m and a whole term contract value of £25.4million, for a period of 5 years commencing 1st October 2027.   The contract value of this service had been £4.049m and had not been increased from the original value during the life of the contract which commenced October 2020.  The projected increase in contract value in line with inflation in 2027 would have be £5.2 million however with a careful review of all components of the service, the contract costs had been kept down to £5.08 million, i.e. below inflation.   The report had been scrutinised by the Adult Care and Health and Children, Education and Families PDS Committees at the meeting of Adult, Care and Health PDS Committee on 16 June 2026 and the Committees supported the proposals.   RESOLVED: That the commencement of a tender process for 0-19 Public Health Nursing Service for a five-year contract commencing 1st October 2027, at an estimated annual value of £5.080m (estimated whole life value of £25.4m) be approved.

Date of Decision: June 24, 2026