Hepatitis C Peer Support Programme across the East Midlands Adult Secure Estate

NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit (AGCSU) on behalf of NHS England & NHS Improvement - Midlands (Health and Justice - East Midlands) (referred to as the Commissioner) is inviting suitably qualified and experienced providers to deliver a Hepatitis C Peer Support Programme across the East Midlands Adult Secure Estate.

In 2018, NHS England confirmed its intention to eradicate Hepatitis by 2025; and the diagnosis and treatment of blood-borne viruses (BBV) in patients within secure estate including prisons, was recognised as a key area to identity Hepatitis C. The BBV opt-out programme, covering Hepatitis C, Hepatitis B and HIV which has been operational since 2015/16 and has provided an opportunity to identify people on entry into secure estate and address any positive diagnosis.

To support the micro-elimination of Hepatis C, Commissioners are looking for a provider to establish an East Midlands Network of Hepatitis C Peer Support workers to work alongside secure estate healthcare, and the secure estate operator (where appropriate) across all adult secure establishments within the East Midlands.

One provider is sought for the provision of this Hepatitis C Support Programme across the East Midlands and will be required to deliver a range of support (as identified within the Service Specification) including delivery of regional workshops with key prevention, diagnosis, linkage to care and treatment messages across the East Midlands adult secure estate.

The East Midlands region adult secure estate includes:

• HMP Ranby • HMP Nottingham • HMP Lowdham Grange • HMP Whatton • HMP Lincoln • HMP North Sea Camp • HMP Foston Hall • HMP Sudbury • HMP Stocken • HMP Leicester • HMP Gartree • HMP Onley • HMP Rye Hill • IRC Morton Hall

The contract is expected to commence on 1st February 2021 for a period of 2 years and 2 Months until 31st March 2023 (with no further option to extend).