Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Testing and Kits

Description

Solent (known as the lead provider) has been providing Level 3 Integrated Sexual Health and HIV services (SHHS) since 2012 and has recently been awarded a new contract from 2024 to 2031, with the option to extend for a further two years.<br/>Solent’s services identify as core community provision across Southampton, Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, and other parts of Hampshire.<br/>As part of the core offer, Solent is commissioned to provide an online STI pathology testing and kits service to target patients that do not attend our services and/or patients with low risk symptoms that attend clinics. Lot 1: Solent NHS Trust is looking to work with one pathology provider to deliver the Online STI and HIV testing and kits provision within Southampton, Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, and Hampshire.<br/><br/>The aim of the service is to provide an online service that compliments and supports the overarching Level 3 Integrated SHHS delivered by Solent.<br/><br/>The main objectives are:<br/>•To increase use of online services and remote pathways that improve scope for individuals to have their testing and advice needs met, where appropriate without face to face contact, including choice of delivery points for STI kits. <br/>•To provide online STI self-sampling kits for asymptomatic residents aged 16 years and over, including samples from extra-genital sites for high risk groups.<br/>•To provide online STI self-sampling kits for people with low risk symptoms aged 16 years and over, including samples from extra-genital sites for high risk groups<br/>•To target high risk groups, such as asymptomatic men who have sex with men (MSM), commercial sex workers who are not currently accessing SHHS. <br/>•To redirect low risk asymptomatic patients from level 3 SHHS clinical service, to online services, in order to enable a faster service for this client group.<br/>•To signpost anyone who is high risk but eligible for online testing to Sexual Health Promotion.<br/>•To provide a customer support function for clients to contact the Pathology provider for advice or support. <br/>•To evaluate the service through feedback from users, to ensure on-going improvement of this service.<br/>•To offer an STI testing service in a non-clinical area when working with vulnerable patients that do not have IT access or unable to receive postal kits to a home address.<br/>•To ensure that all residents aged 15-24 are offered a Chlamydia screen and/or can access services a chlamydia test via a remote (home) testing pathway as part of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme with the aim to achieve the chlamydia diagnostic rate.<br/>•To provide remote testing for test of cure for Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia and Mycoplasma genitalium.<br/><br/>The service will provide:<br/>• Full STI and HIV testing for anyone over the age of 16 years. For people aged 15–24 years they will have an option to access Chlamydia only testing.<br/>• Provision and dispatch of postal STI and HIV kits with options to post to requested address or national pick-up points.<br/>• Results processing via a results management system that integrates with the services electronic patient record (Inform) and patient text messaging service.<br/>• A service for Southampton, Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight, and Hampshire residents.<br/>• There will be a separate ad hoc service available for anyone living outside of area.<br/>The service model excludes:<br/>• A requirement for the pathology provider to deliver an online algorithm to identify risk and required testing, as this is already provided as part of the pre-established SHHS Electronic Patient Record system.<br/><br/>The pathology provider will be able to provide full STI testing to include:<br/>• HIV testing - 4th generation<br/>• Syphilis<br/>• Syphilis RPR for patient with past infection<br/>• Hepatitis C IgG antibody<br/>• Hepatitis B surface antigen <br/>• Chlamydia<br/>• Chlamydia Test of Cure<br/>• Gonorrhoea<br/>• Gonorrhoea Test of Cure<br/>• Mycoplasma Genitalium for Test of Cure<br/>• Extra genital site testing