Scabies Outbreak Prescribing Service (Scarborough)

The NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board has awarded a contract for a Scabies Outbreak Prescribing Service in Scarborough. This procurement falls under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 and was conducted urgently without the standard competitive procedures due to the need to ensure patient safety. The contract commenced on 28th November 2025 and is set to conclude by 12th December 2025, valued at approximately £704.

The service includes deploying a prescribing pharmacist to manage treatments in alignment with UKHSA guidelines. Despite not following the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, this urgent award was deemed necessary by senior executives within the buying organisation, and no conflicts of interest were reported. This contract represents an opportunity for healthcare providers, particularly those specialising in general-practitioner services, to deliver critical support during a public health challenge.

Businesses equipped with expertise in managing infectious disease outbreaks and strong partnerships with care facilities will be well-suited to engage in such urgent public health initiatives. Although the contract is already awarded, similar future opportunities can be anticipated, especially within integrated care boards focusing on regions vulnerable to public health crises, such as Scarborough. This highlights the importance for healthcare entities to maintain readiness and adaptability for rapid deployment in response to urgent healthcare needs.