Integrated Clinical Sexual Health Service - PSR - Most Suitable Provider Process

Newcastle City Council intends to identify the most suitable provider to deliver a comprehensive, open access, confidential and non-judgemental community sexual and reproductive health service. This process will be undertaken in accordance with The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 and the Council will apply the Most Suitable Provider process under PSR, based on statutory criteria, including quality, value, and integration. The Service will be available to anyone requiring sexual health advice, screening, treatment, or care, irrespective of age, place of residence, or GP registration, while targeting support to address local health inequalities. This includes: * STI Testing and Treatment * Full range of contraceptive services, including deep implant removal * Pregnancy Testing * Partner Notification * Online booking of appointments with sexual health services * Sexual health aspects of psychosexual counselling * Pregnancy decision-making and referral pathways * Specialist services focusing on young people, MSM, ethnic minority groups, and individuals with learning disabilities * PrEP and PEP * Co-ordination and delivery of the C-Card programme * Co-ordination and delivery of the Chlamydia screening programme * Sexual health promotion * Targeted outreach focused in areas of greatest sexual ill health * Support with training for primary care and community pharmacies The Council's aims in providing the integrated clinical sexual health service are: * Promoting good sexual health through primary prevention activities, including condom use, vaccination, HIV PrEP, behaviour change, and initiatives to reduce stigma associated with STIs, HIV, and unplanned pregnancy * Providing rapid and easy access to STI and BBV testing, treatment, and management services through a variety of mechanisms, linking to the Digital Service Provider and creating pathways for referral * Providing rapid and easy access to reproductive health services, including a full range of contraceptive services; supported referral to local NHS-funded abortion services; and support in planning pregnancy The Service is to be provided from premises licensed to the provider for this purpose and will be for a term of two years. Providers should note the available budget and confirm their ability to deliver the service in line with the specification and within the set budget. Providers should also be aware of the timescales for service commencement on 1 March 2026. Additional information: The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations. Explanation: This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR MSP process. The standstill period begins on the day after the publication of this notice. Representations by providers must be made by 16 January 2026 via the Open platform https://www.open-uk.org. Following the successful conclusion of the standstill period, this notice will be updated to confirm the award of the contract to South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust in accordance with the Provider Selection Regime (PSR) and the Most Suitable Provider process.