Agenda item

Patricia Davies (Accountable Officer, NHS Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley CCG and NHS Swale CCG), Julie Hunt (Director of Performance Delivery and Programme Director for Adult Community Services, NHS Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley CCG and NHS Swale CCG) and Michael Ridgwell (Programme Lead, Swale Blue Light Transfer, NHS Swale CCG) were in attendance for this item.

(1)      The Chairman welcomed the guests to the Committee. Members enquired about the period of formal standstill after the bidders had been advised of the outcome and the expected growth in the local area. Ms Davies thanked the Committee for the opportunity to provide feedback on the outcome of the procurement.  She explained that there was a period of formal standstill which was extended whilst the CCGs answered a query from one of the bidders; once that query had been answered the bidder was satisfied with the outcome and the standstill was ended and the outcome of the procurement was announced. 

(2)       Ms Davies noted that there was an expected 26% population growth in Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley. She stated that the contract was let on an as-is basis but a key part of the tender was for bidders to explain how they could deliver innovation and transformation, be flexible to meet demand and integrate with primary and social care in the future. She explained that the CCG had submitted a bid with the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation and local councils for Healthy New Towns status for the Ebbsfleet development; they were one of sixteen bids which had been shortlisted from 150 submissions across the country. She explained that the Healthy New Towns status would not come with funding but would bring expertise and raise the national profile of the development at a government level. She explained that £310 million had been allocated to the Ebbsfleet development in the Autumn Spending Review which would be aligned for infrastructure as opposed to health services; upfront investment was required as CCGs were only paid on the number of patients registered with GP practices. She noted that the CCG was engaging with NHS England, local MPs and Healthwatch Kent to lobby for additional funding. 

(3)       The Chairman invited Mr Inett to speak. Mr Inett enquired if Virgin Healthcare Services would be required to reinvest any surplus into the service. Ms Davies stated that there had been an open and transparent procurement process. The tender was for an NHS contract which was awarded to a private company; the provider had to comply with NHS Terms & Conditions including the legal duty to breakeven reinvest a surplus into community services.  Mr Inett noted that Healthwatch Kent was part of a panel which was looking at the mobilisation of services from the existing to the new provider.

(4)       RESOLVED that the report be noted and NHS Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley CCG and NHS Swale CCG be requested to provide the Committee with an update about:

(a)       the mobilisation of the contract and performance of the new provider in November;

(b)       the development of any new service model at the appropriate time.