Provision of External Online Sexual Health Screening Services

Concepts

• salisbury
• service users
• sexual health services
• sti screening
• asymptomatic service-users
• a postal sti screening service
• remote screening
• fully integrated self-sampling online sexual health service
• an online service
• external online sexual health screening services

Location

Description

The service is an online testing platform via (SH.UK & Freetest.me which offers fully integrated self-sampling online sexual health service that allows service users to provide their own clinical support and remote screening for STI's) with good level of embedded local clinical support, including direct links into Trust system and pathways. It is hoped that an online service with postal testing and clinic in a box will: • Enable asymptomatic service-users and those with mild symptoms to obtain timely and convenient STI screening without having to contact the clinic. • Be used in conjunction with telephone triage and virtual consultations to streamline low risk asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic individuals so experienced clinicians see the symptomatic, high risk and vulnerable service-users face to face. • Facilitate access to STI screening and treatment for those who find it difficult to attend sexual health services. The kit requesting system should have a two-step verification process to verify real and unique users. The following are covered; • A postal STI screening service. • An online platform integrated with Trust websites, with clinical triage, safeguarding, and eligibility filtering. • Laboratory analysis through a UKAS-accredited facility, with rapid turnaround and secure communication of results.

Award Detail

CPV Codes

• None found

Legal Justification

The requirement is for an integrated external online sexual health service that ensures seamless coordination between self-sampling online sexual health service and local clinical teams for the management of positive results and safeguarding concerns. The supplier operates an online postal STI screening service i.e. the same platform, with corresponding triage algorithm AND "Clinic in a box" community kit screening service that can be given out to asymptomatic service users who attend existing services. This uniquely enables positive cases and safeguarding issues identified via online testing to be managed directly by Trust clinical team. These teams are best placed to provide timely, person-centred care, safeguarding intervention, and fast access to local treatment pathways. The platform allows for the online ordering of STI kits, which are then dispatched via post to the service user. Samples are then returned to the laboratory for testing and negative results are communicated to the service users via the platform. Those with positive results that require treatment would be managed via the Trust clinical teams. The current supplier offers an online testing platform (SH.UK & Freetest.me which offers fully integrated self-sampling online sexual health service that allows service users to provide their own clinical support and remote screening for STI's) with good level of embedded local clinical support, including direct links into Trust system and pathways. This joined-up approach is crucial, not just for ensuring people get the treatment and support they need quickly, but also for making sure any safeguarding concerns are dealt with sensitively and effectively. It gives patients a seamless experience from online testing to in-person care. The supplier being the incumbent is already embedded in the Trust system, which avoids unnecessary disruption, and they actively support outreach work in specialist settings. This level of local integration and support is required to ensure adequate care for the community and accessible to those who need them most.

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. **