3173_15 HIV Self-sampling Service Framework (Public Health England)

Public Health England (PHE) is seeking to establish a national (England-wide) framework agreement with a single organisation to provide HIV self-sampling services for most at risk populations predominantly being Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) and Black Africans. The framework will be available for use by all local authorities with public health responsibilities (of which there are 170 in England) but such use will not be mandatory.

The framework holder will be ESPO, acting on behalf of PHE, and services under the framework will be commissioned as required (i.e. called off under the framework) by individual local authorities or by PHE itself. The appointed supplier will provide the following services: User Interface and Access requirements: Undertake focussed marketing (e.g. search engine optimisation) and wider advertising to MSM and Black African high-risk populations.

All activities will complement campaigns promoting testing for HIV, commissioned nationally (i.e. HIV Prevention England), regionally (e.g. London HIV Prevention Programme) and locally. Design, host and manage a secure and accessible user-friendly interface that facilitates remote HIV self-sampling and ordering of a kit without the need to see a healthcare practitioner.

Signpost individuals residing outside of the commissioning localities to alternative sexual health and contraceptive services. Provide information in formats which inform and support service user decision-making.

Kit Order Fulfilment requirements: Collate adequate service user information to facilitate remote HIV-sampling, pathology, positive and negative results notification, recall and repeat testing. Fulfil HIV self-sampling kit orders free of charge to the service user.

Supply self-sampling kits containing: in-date fully licensed blood spot or oral swab consumables (depending on the service user's choice); easy-to-read instructions; sexual health promotion messaging and service information leaflets; a branded microbiology form and a prepaid postage return envelope. Pathology requirements: Screen returned samples for HIV using a validated technique.

Confirm negative results for HIV infection. Results Management requirements: Return test results to the service user and to the contracted clinically competent supplier (using agreed communication methods).

Signpost negative results to an appropriate local sexual health service (at service user's choice of location). Refer reactive results to trained and clinically competent advisory services.

Refer service users for confirmatory testing to an appropriate HIV and sexual health service (of service user's choice). Adhere to standard operating procedures relating (but not limited) to safeguarding, child protection, and to r..(view full details to see more)