Issue - meetings

This report sets out the rationale for the request to extend the current arrangements for the contracting of health visiting and Family Nurse Partnership services and outlines the work which has begun to review current arrangements and consider future models.

that the extension of the service provision with LNWHT for 0-5 children’s health services for health visiting and FNP from 1st April 2016 to 31st March 2017 be approved on the Department of Health’s Public Health terms and conditions for public authorities.

Councillor Butt asked Mr Martin Francis to present his deputation which highlighted 0-5 children’s public health services.  

Councillor Hirani, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being, stated that the responsibility for commissioning of 0-5 children’s public health services transferred from NHS England (NHSE) to local authorities on 1st October 2015. The contract for Health Visiting and Family Nurse Partnership (FNP) services for Brent was held with London North West Healthcare Trust (LNWHT).

Councillor Hirani stated that the current contract was due to expire at the end of March 2016. The contract between the Council and LNWHT for the six month period had a value of £2,563,000. The Local Authority has a statutory responsibility to ensure the provision of a health visiting service: the mandated requirements were set out at paragraph. These elements are mandated until March 2017.

Councillor Hirani informed colleagues that the contract with the current provider, LNWHT could be extended to maintain the current service provision by continuing the current (DH specified) service specification and issuing of a local authority contract for the period from 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017 with an annual value of £5,126,000. The resource for the commissioning of these services will be part of the Public Health grant.

RESOLVED:

that the extension of the service provision with LNWHT for 0-5 children’s health services for health visiting and FNP from 1st April 2016 to 31st March 2017 be approved on the Department of Health’s Public Health terms and conditions for public authorities.