Agenda, decisions and minutes

Forward Plan Ref: 2016/023

Contact: Donna Husband, Head of Commissioning Health Improvement Tel: (01865) 328667

Report by Director of Public Health (CMDPH4).

The 2010-15 Coalition Government set out that as part of the transfer of public health responsibilities to local government, 0-5’s public health services commissioning would move to local authorities. These services would then be commissioned alongside the 5-19 children’s services which were transferred to local authorities in April 2013.

The Local Authority needs to make a policy decision to secure these services through a commissioning route, as previously they were the responsibility of the NHS.

Public Health has a ring fenced budget within this an allocations has been made for 0-5 Health Visiting Service as reported in financial monthly reports to cabinet.

The contract with the current provider expires on 31 March 2017. As the costs of commissioning these services are significant with regard to the revenue budget allocated to the Cabinet Member the commissioning of these services is considered a key decision.

The Cabinet Member for Public Health is RECOMMENDED to approve the Public Health Directorate commission health visiting services in Oxfordshire to secure provision as mandated by the Health and Social Care Act.

Having regard to the arguments and options set out in the documentation before me, the representations made to me and the further considerations set out above, I confirm my decision on this matter as follows:

to give approval to the Public Health Directorate commissioning health visiting services in Oxfordshire to secure provision as mandated by the Health and Social Care Act.