Termination of Pregnancy Service to Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group

Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group are seeking to commission a Termination of Pregnancy Service to those who reside in Somerset. The aim of this service is to provide a consistent, comprehensive, effective, accessible, legal and safe termination of pregnancy in a supportive and non-judgemental environment which respects service user's wishes, reduces repeat terminations and unintended pregnancies, and promotes better sexual health among service users.

The service will be provided to all adults, young adults, and where appropriate those aged 13 and over who predominantly are registered to Somerset GPs and/or are living in Somerset, including service users with no fixed abode, no registered GP or visitors to the area. The provider will ensure that the service is respectful and does not discriminate on grounds of age, disability, race, ethnicity, culture, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, income levels, marital status, previous terminations or any other non-medical characteristics.

The objectives of the service are:

a) To provide a termination of pregnancy service which provides information/advice and medical terminations within the service user's county of residence or within 30 miles of their home and at the time they request. b) To provide an all-inclusive termination of pregnancy service to clients which includes information and advice, medical terminations. c) To offer terminations as early as possible based on the service user's gestation and clinical circumstances. d) To aim for 100% of terminations to take place without complications (to include, but not be limited to, cervical trauma, uterine perforation, severe bleeding requiring transfusion, and uterine rupture). e) To provide 100% of service users with advice on the full range of contraceptives, including the offer of (and where necessary fit) Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARC). f) Service user's receiving Pills by Post will also have the contraception conversation and can be offered 3 months of oral contraception (in line with their Standard Operating Procedure and relevant guidance; and/or be referred to their GP or SWISH for ongoing contraceptive provision. (http://formulary.somersetccg.nhs.uk/). g) To supply (and where necessary fit) 90% of service users with contraceptives after treatment. h) To support the reduction of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). i) To ensure opportunities are in place for accurate and effective information and screening of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Where appropriate sexual health screening offered in line with guidance to include Chlamydia and where indicated, other STI testing. j) To assess all service users under the age of 18 or otherwise where assessment suggests vulnerability in a face-to-face environment.

Additional information: The initial contract term will be for 3 years from 1st June 2022, with an optional extension of any period(s) up to a maximum of a further 2 years, as defined and at the discretion of the commissioners.

The financial envelope is £503,000 per annum.

This procurement is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.

Interested providers will be able to view this notice via the 'current tenders' list on the e-procurement system In-Tend, available on the following link: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/scwcsu/aspx/Home

In order to submit a bid, you will need to be registered on the e-procurement system and 'express an interest', and then complete a response as specified within the procurement documents.

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