(i)         that the Director of Public Health be authorised to procure a supplier of needle and syringe equipment for pharmacy based Needle Exchange Services, through joint procurement exercise with Devon County Council Public Health team; and

(ii)        that the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Executive Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, be given delegated authority to award the successful bidder, on a best value basis, with the offer of the contract on behalf of Torbay Council.

To ensure continued provision of needle exchange services.

Alternative options were set out in the submitted report but were not discussed at the meeting.

This decision will come into force and may be implemented on Friday, 17 November 2017 unless the call-in process is triggered (as set out in Standing Orders in relation to Overview and Scrutiny).

Needle Exchange services are a fundamental element of protecting the public’s health by preventing HIV, Hepatitis B and C and other blood borne viruses which can occur at epidemic levels when people who use drugs share needles and other drug injecting equipment.  

Supply of needle and syringe equipment is a demand-led service which will cost an estimated £80,000 per annum, based on current activity levels.  It is proposed that the contract will be procured jointly with Devon County Council to maximise economies of scale, and is expected to be for a three year term, with option to extend for a further one + one years. 

The Public Health team has a contract for provision of Needle and Syringe Equipment and collection/disposal of associated waste for Torbay pharmacy “Needle Exchange Services”.  Provision is currently contracted to Daniels Healthcare Limited, and the contract expires on 30 September 2018.  Permission was therefore sought to start the tender process for re-procurement of the contract. 

The Elected Mayor considered the recommendations of the Policy Development and Decision Group made on 6 November 2017 and his decision is set out above.

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