Issue - meetings

Background:

This report requested the Cabinet’s agreement to commence the procurement of the Medway Adult Substance Treatment, Harm Reduction and Recovery Service Contract. This was a statutory clinical public health service, which would need to be provided in line with the requirements of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and the national Drugs Strategy. 

The report explained that Medway Council currently commissioned an adult substance misuse service through two contracts. The treatment element of the contract was provided by Turning Point, and the recovery and wellbeing element was provided by Open Road. The contract had been awarded in 2018 following a robust tendering process, for a 3-year initial term with 2 x 12-month extensions available.

The report advised that in order to improve transitions between the two services and improve the experience of service users, the new contract would use an integrated single-provider model of treatment and recovery. This would enable more efficient pathways and clearer routes to visible recovery while reducing challenges experienced between providers.

The initial term of the new contract would be for 36 months from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2026, with the option of 2 x 12-Month Extensions, to 31 March 2028.

The report was accompanied by a Diversity Impact Assessment at Appendix 1 to the report. An Exempt Appendix set out key information in respect of financial analysis relating to the procurement.

Reasons:

Cabinet approval will authorise the commencement of the procurement process to renew the service contract.