Issue - meetings

Report from the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing

Councillor Tamoor Tariq,  Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing presented the report which set out a plan to extend Bury Council’s substance misuse contract with GMMH for a further six months.

DECISION

Cabinet:

• Agreed to extend Bury Council’s substance misuse contract with GMMH for a further six months, from 1 st September 2024 – 31st March 2025 to align to the end of the 2045/25 financial year.
• Agreed a one of £70,000 payment to uplift the substance misuse contract from 1 st September 2024 – 31st March 2025. Which will be funded through Office Page 370 for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) Supplementary Substance Misuse Treatment Grant (SSMTRG) underspend (at no extra cost to the council).
• To make a direct award to the current provider, GMMH, for a period of three years, with the option for the Council to extend for an additional two years at its discretion – starting on April 1st 2025.
• Agreed the new total estimated cost for the three years commencing 1st April 2025 at £1,560,000 per annum, with the same amount allocated per annum thereafter, (subject to inflation and Agenda for Change pay increases). This will be funded through Public Health budget (including a small amount of substance misuse reserves) and there are no requests for additional funding.
• Agreed to delegate the negotiation and finalisation of contracts to the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance.

Reasons for recommendation(s):

Current Performance

• The Council is happy with the current performance of GMMH. Its substance misuse services were rated as outstanding from their most recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in 2018.
• In 2022 GMMH had an independent, external provider evaluate the partnership model, which overall was considered to work very effectively and reflect the aims of the contract.
• This option would allow the Council to continue to build on already existing, positive relationships that have been built over the last four years, not just between GMHH and Bury Council but between it and numerous other external partners. Continuing with the current provider will enable current projects and funding streams to continue seamlessly. The current contract represents good value for money, compared to other organisations and localities, evidenced in supporting documents.

Proposed Procurement Route

• A competitive tender process would put extensive pressure on existing resources and staff time and would likely require additional support. In addition, stability and continuity of well performing providers is mentioned frequently as being essential to the care and wellbeing of service users and organisational staff, which is reflected in the potential future implementation of The NHS Provider Selector Regime (PSR). The PSR will aim to introduce increased flexibility and transparency to the procurement of healthcare services and will aim to support greater integration and the establishment of stable collaborations. The continuation of the current provider is in the best interest of the service users, all staff involved, taxpayers and the local population.
• It is proposed that the Council continues with its current contract provider  ...  view the full minutes text for item 260