Agenda item

(a)  That it be noted that the winning bid was made by the existing provider who had achieved the highest quit rates in England and a recent MJ Public Health award.

(b)  That the bid scored highest in all domains – a total score of 90.6 compared to 60.4 for the nearest contender and this included a section for innovative delivery.

(c)  That it be noted that the contract value was £300k per year for three years, with a 1 plus 1 optional extension dependent on performance being met and on the Public Health grant. A contribution would be sought through wider partners.

(d)  That the contract be awarded to the selected provider, Solution4Health.

The Assistant Director of Public Health introduced a report that sought approval to award the new smoking cessation contract to Solutions 4 Health, commencing on 1^st January 2016.

A thorough and competitive tendering process had been undertaken by Bracknell Forest Council on behalf of the participating Berkshire local authorities and the best provider was considered to be Solutions 4 Health who were the existing provider.  They had scored highest in all domains and had demonstrated the highest quitter rates in England.  The capped contract was for £300k per annum for 3+1+1 years which represented a saving of £180k against the current contract price.  Contributions from partners would be sought, however, it was noted that smoking cession was a mandated service from the public health grant.  Discussions were ongoing with Slough Clinical Commissioning Group and others about support for other services such as the Healthy Hearts Programme.

Commissioners sought clarity on a number of issues including the number of people in Slough supported, the monitoring of performance measures for sustained quit rates and the support for vulnerable groups.  It was responded that 770 people would be helped to quit per year, that people who be monitored at the standard 4 and 12 week benchmarks and that there was specific support for vulnerable people such as those in pregnancy or with conditions such as diabetes.  Smoking cessation helped tackle health inequalities and the work focused on high risk areas.  Commissioners also asked about the relative risks of shisha smoking and it was noted that it carried a significantly higher risk and public health communications needed to get this message out.

The existing service had already contributed to a reduction in smoking prevalence from 22% to 19% and Commissioners asked how much further smoking could realistically be reduced.  The Assistant Director commented that studies indicated that the genetic propensity to smoke was very low, therefore significant numbers of people could realistically be helped to stop smoking, which was the biggest single impact that could be made to improve their health and prevent early death.

After due consideration, it was agreed that the contract be awarded to the selected provider on the terms proposed.

Resolved –

(a)  That it be noted that the winning bid was made by the existing provider who had achieved the highest quit rates in England and a recent MJ Public Health award.

(b)  That the bid scored highest in all domains – a total score of 90.6 compared to 60.4 for the nearest contender and this included a section for innovative delivery.

(c)  That it be noted that the contract value was £300k per year for three years, with a 1 plus 1 optional extension dependent on performance being met and on the Public Health grant. A contribution would be sought through wider partners.

(d)  That the contract be awarded to the selected provider, Solutions 4 Health.