HIV Peer Support Service in Northamptonshire

NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board are seeking providers from the voluntary and community sector (VCS) to deliver a Northamptonshire HIV Peer Support service by those that are HIV positive.

In 2023, the Lancet noted that Opt-out testing in the UK is particularly effective at identifying those disproportionately affected by a late diagnosis, including women, older people, and those from Black African communities. These groups are less likely to access sexual health services and would require a wider reach than the local charities who have proactively incorporated HIV support into youth counselling and advice to gay or bisexual men. Quality peer support for diagnosed patients, will be delivered by those who are HIV positive and support the following:

• Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT), bringing their own knowledge and experience. • Help develop self-management strategies, deal with stigma, reduce isolation and improve wellbeing. • Link and retain people into HIV care, improving antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, and consequently ensuring ongoing viral suppression and avoidance of virologic failure. • Refer/signpost into specialist services such as mental health and substance misuse where appropriate. • Should be available to those who are newly diagnosed or who find it difficult to adjust to their diagnosis. • Support the eight standards listed in the https://www.bhiva.org/standards-of-care-2018 • Follow the https://positivelyuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/national_standards_final_web.pdf guidance and its four standards.

Further details on the service are available in the attached Breakdown of Expected Tasks. This includes the expectation to develop a sustainability plan to ensure service delivery beyond this period of ICB funding.

Interested providers are asked to complete the attached expression of interest form (EoI) and return via the Atamis e-tendering portal (https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome) by 12pm noon on Friday 17th January 2025.

Providers who meet the requirements of the EoI may be taken forward to a grant agreement at the Commissioners discretion. The total funding available for this grant is £68,310. This funding may be provided to multiple organisations and values are subject to change. Providers must be willing to work in partnership with other organisations if required as part of any service delivery.

This service is separate to the opt-out testing programme being delivered by local emergency departments however the provider will be expected to work alongside this and local sexual health and other services, to ensure a coordinated pathway for patients.

Additional information: To express interest and participate in the tender, please register and apply via Atamis e-sourcing portal https://health-family.force.com/s/Welcome.

Should Tenderers have any queries, or having problems using the portal, they should contact Helpdesk at:

Phone: 0800 9956035

E-mail: [email protected]