“Follow Me” Project roll out - Hepatitis C Trust

This contract relates to the continuation of the existing Hepatitis C Trust (HCT) Follow Me Project, an established peer led Hepatitis C (HCV) testing and treatment engagement service operating across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. The service targets people who use drugs and other inclusion health groups who are at increased risk of blood borne viruses (BBVs), particularly Hepatitis C.

It plays a critical role in prevention, early diagnosis, linkage to care and treatment completion, thereby contributing to improved health outcomes and reduced demand on acute health services. This contract relates to the continuation of the existing HCT Follow Me Project, an established peer led HCV testing and treatment engagement service operating across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan.

The service targets people who use drugs and other inclusion health groups who are at increased risk of BBVs, particularly Hepatitis C. It plays a critical role in prevention, early diagnosis, linkage to care and treatment completion, thereby contributing to improved health outcomes and reduced demand on acute health services.

The Follow Me Project is a peer led intervention, delivered by trained staff and volunteer peers with lived experience of Hepatitis C. The model is designed to overcome barriers to engagement with traditional clinical pathways by delivering outreach based testing, harm reduction advice and sustained peer support.

Key elements include: - Community based HCV testing in high prevalence settings - Peer support to reduce stigma and increase engagement - Active linkage to clinical services and treatment pathways - Ongoing support for individuals lost to follow up The service works in close partnership with commissioned Substance Misuse Services, third sector organisations and CVUHB hepatology and Clinical Nurse Specialist teams. The project has been operational in Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan since January 2022, originally funded through the National Liver Disease Implementation Group and subsequently commissioned by the Area Planning Board to preserve progress and maintain service continuity.

This contract is being awarded via a Direct Award to The Hepatitis C Trust via the Direct Award Process 1 (DAP1) under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). A direct award was selected due to the specialist nature of the service, the clear evidence of a single capable provider, and the need to maintain continuity of a well embedded peer led model.

Alternative procurement routes were not considered proportionate, as disruption would risk destabilising established clinical pathways and progress towards national Hepatitis C elimination priorities. Given the specialist nature of the provision, and the evidence that the Hepatitis C Trust Follow me project is the only organisation delivering this peer to peer model at the required scale and with the necessary expertise, a Direct Award is the most suitable route.

To support decision making under the PSR, it should also be noted that the service meets the DAP1 criteria, particularly in relation to continuity of service provision, the clear evidence of a single capable provider, and the significant risk of destabilising clinical pathways and national elimination progress if service delivery were disrupted. Additional information: This contract is being awarded via a Direct Award to The Hepatitis C Trust via the Direct Award Process 1 (DAP1) under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR).